Here Are the Law Degrees Offering the Most Money After Graduation

Here Are the Law Degrees Offering the Most Money After Graduation Here Are the Law Degrees Offering the Most Money After Graduation The following list contains the schools with the highest salary-to-debt ratio, a necessary consideration when determining which schools provided the biggest return on a student’s investments. (These are median and average numbers, and variables such as scholarships can, of course, make a difference in the final costs). 1. University of Texas, Austin The median private sector starting salary of 2011 grads was $155,000, and average student debt of 2012 grads was $86,312. The UT law school is considered one of the most selective in the nation. It offers both J.D. and Master of Laws degrees, as well as dual degree programs. 2. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill The median private sector starting salary for grads of this school is $117,500, and the average student debt is $74,485. This school is one of the oldest law schools in the U.S. and is considered highly competitive, accepting only 15 percent of applicants. UNC-CH is often ranked among the top public law schools in the nation. 3. Brigham Young University The median private sector starting salary coming out of the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young is much lower than the competition at $84,500, but the average student debt is lower as well at $56,112. This law school is well known for its lower tuition and offers traditional law degrees as well as joint-degree programs. 4. Stanford University The median starting salary for private sector grads is $160,000, and the average student debt is $110,275. The school often ranks comparably with Harvards and Yale’s law schools. Known for its small class sizes, the school is home to the nation’s first Supreme Court litigation clinic. It is considered extremely competitive: Stanford Laws acceptance rate is one of the lowest in the nation. 5. Yale University Median starting salary for private sector grads is $160,000, and the average student debt is $110,741. Yale has been ranked the top law school in the nation for many years. Graduates often go on to careers in academia or politics, rather than practicing law. Of course, picking a law school depends on more than post-graduation prospects or potential debt load. You also want to consider location, specialties, scholarships, internship opportunities, and other variables, just as you did when you were picking an undergraduate program. However, salary and debt load are highly important considerations, and knowing what your options are will help you pick the program that best fits your needs.