Free tool
Law school ROI calculator
Compare debt, salary, and payoff timelines for any ABA law school. Adjust your scholarship and career path to see what the numbers look like for you.
How to use itCalculation Mode
Using school's projected outcome based on actual placement data
School & Costs
US News Rank: #1
3-year total: $232,362
Using school's median scholarship (auto-filled)
3-year total: $153,306(ABA 509 estimate)
Standard Assumptions
Based on 10-year standard federal loan repayment
Career Path
Based on 45.3% BigLaw + 19.5% Clerkship + other outcomes
Benefits cannot be used to pay down loans
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
- Net cost (3 years)
- $392K
- After scholarship
- Expected salary
- $157K
- Weighted average
- Years to payoff
- 16.7
- At 15% of income
- Debt to income
- 2.50
- High risk
Investment Breakdown
Your Investment
Financial Outlook
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
High ratio. Your debt significantly exceeds annual salary.
Your total debt is 2.5x your expected annual salary.
Standard 10-year payment: $4,988/month. This represents 38% of your annual salary.
At 15% of annual income ($23,514/year), you'll be debt-free in approximately 16.7 years.
How it works
ABA 509, 2024
What goes into the investment side of the calculation, and what comes out of the return side.
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 a year) and Grad PLUS loans, up to the cost of attendance.
Example: $70K tuition plus $20K living, over 3 years, is $270K total. With a $90K scholarship, your debt is $180K.
The return side
Starting salary varies dramatically by career path. BigLaw pays upward of $225K but requires top grades at elite schools. Government and public interest pay $65K to $75K but offer PSLF after 10 years. Benefits add 25% to 40% to total compensation.
Example: $120K salary plus 35% benefits ($42K) is $162K of total first-year compensation.
What these estimates do not account forABA Employment Reports 2024
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. They do not account for taxes, inflation, opportunity costs, or income growth over time. Consult financial aid counselors and professionals for personalized guidance.
Data sources: ABA Employment Reports 2024, US News rankings, and institutional financial aid offices.
Career paths
NALP, 2023 to 2024
The salary each career path is modeled at, and how often graduates actually land it.
| Career path | Typical salary | Placement | Salary source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BigLaw (501+) | $225,000 | 15% to 20% avg | Cravath scale (NALP 2024) |
| Large Firm (251-500) | $190,000 | 2% to 5% | NALP 2023 to 2024 median |
| Mid-Size (101-250) | $165,000 | 3% to 6% | NALP 2023 median |
| Small-Mid (51-100) | $155,000 | 2% to 4% | NALP 2023 median |
| Small Firm (1-50) | $80,000 | 15% to 25% | NALP 2023 to 2024 median |
| Government | $80,000 | 10% to 15% | NALP 2024: $79,900 median |
| Public Interest | $72,000 | 5% to 10% | NALP 2024 median |
Where these salary figures come fromNALP, OPM
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.
These represent median or typical outcomes selected as reasonable estimates. Actual salaries vary significantly by geography, employer, and year. Mid-sized firm salaries show the widest variance, roughly $155K to $175K. Government salaries vary by locality adjustments on the federal GS-11 and GS-12 scale. Benefits percentages are industry standard estimates.
Reality check: these are national averages, and actual placement rates vary dramatically by school. T14 schools place 35% to 77% of graduates in BigLaw, while lower-ranked schools may place under 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 and assume you will graduate in the middle of your class.
Frequently asked questions
What a good ROI looks like, how much debt is too much, and how to weigh a scholarship.
How do I calculate if law school is worth it?
Calculate your law school ROI by dividing your expected first-year total compensation (salary plus benefits) by your total debt. An ROI above 75% is generally considered good. Also factor in monthly loan payments, payoff timeline, and realistic employment prospects based on school placement rates.
What is a good law school ROI percentage?
A first-year ROI of 100% or more is excellent, meaning compensation equals or exceeds debt. Between 75% and 100% is good and manageable. Between 50% and 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 is not to borrow more than your expected first-year salary. For BigLaw-bound students at top schools, debt above $200K may be manageable. For government or public interest careers, keep debt under $75K to $100K, or use Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
What are typical law school monthly loan payments?
On a 10-year standard repayment plan at 7% interest, $100K of debt is roughly $1,160 a month, $150K is roughly $1,740, and $200K is roughly $2,320. 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% to 70% of graduates versus 10% to 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 calculator to compare specific scenarios.
Ready to improve your LSAT score?
A higher score is the most reliable way to move these numbers: it buys scholarship money, which is the input this calculator is most sensitive to.