How do I calculate if law school is worth it?

Calculate your law school ROI by dividing your expected first-year total compensation (salary + benefits) by your total debt. An ROI above 75% is generally considered good. Also factor in monthly loan payments, break-even timeline, and realistic employment prospects based on school placement rates.

What is a good law school ROI percentage?

A first-year ROI of 100%+ is excellent (compensation equals or exceeds debt). 75-100% is good and manageable. 50-75% requires careful planning. Below 50% suggests you should negotiate more scholarship money or consider lower-cost alternatives.

How much debt is too much for law school?

The general rule: don't borrow more than your expected first-year salary. For BigLaw-bound students at top schools, $200K+ debt may be manageable. For government or public interest careers, keep debt under $75-100K, or utilize Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

What are typical law school monthly loan payments?

On a 10-year standard repayment plan with 7% interest: $100K debt = ~$1,160/month, $150K = ~$1,740/month, $200K = ~$2,320/month. Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans can lower payments but extend the term and increase total interest paid.

Should I take a full scholarship at a lower-ranked school or pay full price at a T14?

It depends on your goals. For BigLaw, T14 schools place 40-70% vs 10-25% at most other schools, which may justify the debt. For government, public interest, or regional practice, a full scholarship often provides better outcomes. Use the ROI calculator to compare specific scenarios.

Interactive Calculator - Updated December 2025

Law School ROI Calculator

Calculate your return on investment: Compare debt, salary, and break-even timelines

*Not financial advice — this tool uses certain assumptions and is intended to paint a general picture, not predict individual outcomes.

How To Use It

Calculation Mode

Using school's projected outcome based on actual placement data

Custom ScenarioSchool's Projection

School & Costs

Select Law School

US News Rank: #1

Annual Tuition

3-year total: $232,362

Total Scholarship/Grant (3 years)

Using school's median scholarship (auto-filled)

Annual Living Expenses

3-year total: $153,306(ABA 509 estimate)

Standard Assumptions

Interest Rate:9.08%

Repayment:15% of income

Monthly Payment:$4,988

Based on 10-year standard federal loan repayment

Career Path

Expected Salary

School's Weighted Average: $156,757

Based on 45.3% BigLaw + 19.5% Clerkship + other outcomes

Include Benefits in Compensation

Benefits cannot be used to pay down loans

Base Salary:$156,757

Cash Compensation:$156,757

Placement Data: This school places 45.3% of graduates in BigLaw (501+ attorney firms) and 19.5% in federal clerkships.

Class of 2025: 190 graduates

$392K

Net Cost (3 years)

After scholarship

$157K

Expected Salary

Weighted Average

16.7

Years to Payoff

At 15% income

2.50

Debt-to-Income

High Risk

Investment Breakdown

Your Investment

Tuition (3 years)$232,362

Fees (3 years)$6,759

Living Expenses (3 years)$153,306

Total Cost of Attendance$392,427

- Scholarships/Grants-$0

Total Debt$392,427

Financial Outlook

Expected Salary$156,757

Annual Payment (15% income)$23,514

Monthly Payment (10yr standard)$4,988

Years to Payoff16.7 years

Total Interest (10yr)$206,146

Methodology: Years to payoff assumes 15% of annual income toward loans, matching how the school pages calculate realistic timelines.

Cost vs. Salary Comparison

Financial Analysis

Debt-to-Income Ratio: 2.50

High ratio. Your debt significantly exceeds annual salary.

Debt-to-Income

Your total debt is 2.5x your expected annual salary.

Monthly Commitment

Standard 10-year payment: $4,988/month. This represents 38% of your annual salary.

Payoff Timeline

At 15% of annual income ($23,514/year), you'll be debt-free in approximately 16.7 years.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or investment advice. Actual outcomes vary based on individual circumstances, class rank, job market conditions, and personal financial decisions. ROI calculations are simplified proxies and do not account for taxes, inflation, opportunity costs, or income growth over time. Consult with financial aid counselors and professionals for personalized guidance. Data sources: ABA Employment Reports 2024, US News Rankings, institutional financial aid offices.

How the ROI Calculator Works

The Investment Side

Your total investment includes three years of tuition plus living expenses, minus any scholarships or grants. Most students borrow the full amount through federal Direct Loans ($20,500/year) and Grad PLUS loans (up to cost of attendance).

Example: $70K tuition + $20K living × 3 years = $270K total. With a $90K scholarship, your debt is $180K.

The Return Side

Starting salary varies dramatically by career path. BigLaw pays $225K+ but requires top grades at elite schools. Government and public interest pay $65-75K but offer PSLF after 10 years. Benefits add 25-40% to total compensation.

Example: $120K salary + 35% benefits ($42K) = $162K total first-year compensation.

Understanding Different Career Paths

Career Path	Typical Salary	Placement %	Salary Source
BigLaw (501+)	$225,000	15-20% avg	Cravath scale (NALP 2024)
Large Firm (251-500)	$190,000	2-5%	NALP 2023-2024 median
Mid-Size (101-250)	$165,000	3-6%	NALP 2023 median
Small-Mid (51-100)	$155,000	2-4%	NALP 2023 median
Small Firm (1-50)	$80,000	15-25%	NALP 2023-2024 median
Government	$80,000	10-15%	NALP 2024: $79,900 median
Public Interest	$72,000	5-10%	NALP 2024 median

About These Salary Figures: Salary estimates are derived from NALP (National Association for Law Placement) biennial surveys, federal OPM pay scales for government positions, and industry publications including Above the Law, BigLaw Investor, and Bloomberg Law.

Important: These represent median/typical outcomes selected as reasonable estimates. Actual salaries vary significantly by geography, employer, and year. Mid-sized firm salaries show the widest variance ($155K-$175K range). Government salaries vary by locality adjustments (federal GS-11/GS-12 scale). Benefits percentages are industry-standard estimates.

Reality Check: These are national averages - actual placement rates vary dramatically by school. For example, T14 schools place 35-77% in BigLaw, while lower-ranked schools may place 0-10%. School-wide placement statistics include all graduates, not just top performers. Your individual outcome depends heavily on school ranking, class rank, networking, and interview performance. Plan conservatively - assume you'll graduate in the middle of your class.

View School-Specific Placement Data

See detailed employment outcomes, BigLaw placement rates, federal clerkship statistics, and salary data for individual law schools.

Browse All Law Schools →

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