General Counsel
Consulting
provided
exceptional
service in helping
my organization
recruit for a hard
to fill position.
They did extensive
work on the front
end to understand
our needs and
our culture and
began referring
highly qualified
candidates almost
immediately.
Melinda Burrows
Deputy General Counsel
- Litigation and
Compliance, Progress
Energy Service Company
LLC
Articles By Harrison Barnes From BCG Attorney Search
Finding a job after law school is a major concern for students. Therefore, graduate employment can help when choosing a law school.
Recent data shows strong gains at several U.S. law schools. In fact, some schools now have employment scores above 90%.
The data comes from American Bar Association employment figures. Meanwhile, The National Jurist compared two three-year periods. The first period covers the Classes of 2012 through 2014. The second covers the Classes of 2023 through 2025.
As a result, applicants can use the data to compare law schools. Traditional rankings often focus on reputation and academics. However, employment data shows how graduates fare after law school.
Key Takeaways
Texas A&M University School of Law had the highest recent score at 97.7%.
Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law ranked second at 96.6%.
Washington and Lee University School of Law ranked third at 95.9%.
UC Irvine School of Law had the biggest percentage gain.
Several schools now have employment scores above 90%.
Employment data gives students another way to compare schools.
Law School Employment Rises
Several law schools have made major employment gains. That progress becomes clear when the two periods are compared.
During the earlier period, many schools had scores between 50% and 60%. Since then, many scores have reached the 80% and 90% ranges.
This change matters to future law students. After all, law school can require a large financial investment.
Students also want their degrees to lead to jobs. For that reason, employment results can help them compare schools.
Employment data does not answer every question. Still, it offers a useful view of career results.
Furthermore, long-term results can show whether a school is improving. They can also show how well schools connect graduates with employers.
The data gives applicants more context. For example, students can compare current results with older results. They can then see whether employment results are rising or falling.
Best Law Schools for Jobs
Texas A&M University School of Law had the highest recent score. Its result was the strongest in the analysis.
Texas A&M posted a 97.7% average for the Classes of 2023 through 2025. By comparison, its earlier average was 64.3%.
Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law ranked second. The school posted a 96.6% score.
Washington and Lee University School of Law ranked third. Its recent score reached 95.9%.
Several other schools also scored above 90%. As a result, the top schools showed strong job results.
Top 10 Law Schools by Employment Score
Rank
Law School
Employment Score
1
Texas A&M University School of Law
97.7%
2
Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law
96.6%
3
Washington and Lee University School of Law
95.9%
4
University of Wisconsin Law School
94.7%
5
University of California, Irvine School of Law
94.3%
6
University of San Diego School of Law
93.9%
7
Regent University School of Law
93.4%
8
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
93.0%
9
St. John’s University School of Law
92.5%
10
Cardozo School of Law
92.0%
These figures focus on employment performance. They do not measure overall law school prestige.
Therefore, students should not treat this list as a full law school ranking. Instead, they can use employment data as one comparison tool.
Traditional rankings and employment results can tell different stories. For that reason, students should review both when researching schools.
UC Irvine Posts Biggest Gain
Recent scores tell only part of the story. Just as important, the data shows how much schools improved.
The analysis compared results from two three-year periods. As a result, it also shows which schools made the biggest gains.
UC Irvine School of Law recorded the largest percentage increase. Its employment score rose from 54.3% to 94.3%.
That is a 40.1 percentage-point increase. In addition, the school recorded 73.8% growth.
Western State College of Law ranked second. Its score rose from 48.4% to 82.8%.
That represents 71% growth. Meanwhile, the University of Pittsburgh School of Law ranked third.
Pittsburgh’s score increased from 52.2% to 88.3%. Overall, that represents 69.2% growth.
10 Law Schools With the Biggest Employment Growth
Rank
Law School
Earlier Score
Recent Score
Growth
1
UC Irvine School of Law
54.3%
94.3%
73.8%
2
Western State College of Law
48.4%
82.8%
71.0%
3
University of Pittsburgh School of Law
52.2%
88.3%
69.2%
4
UDC David A. Clarke School of Law
44.4%
72.7%
63.7%
5
Ave Maria School of Law
49.8%
81.4%
63.4%
6
University of San Francisco School of Law
47.5%
76.7%
61.7%
7
Liberty University School of Law
53.0%
85.2%
60.9%
8
Chapman University Fowler School of Law
54.1%
86.4%
59.8%
9
University of Massachusetts School of Law
50.7%
77.7%
53.3%
10
North Carolina Central University School of Law
47.7%
72.9%
53.0%
Every school in the top 10 improved by more than 25 percentage points. That makes the long-term gains notable.
The gains were not limited to schools with the highest scores. Instead, several schools improved from much lower starting points.
In other words, a school does not need to rank first to show progress. Long-term growth can also give applicants useful information.
What Drives Law School Employment?
Several factors can affect law school employment. However, schools can take steps to improve career support.
The National Jurist analysis points to several strategies. These include early career help, employment data, professional development, alumni engagement, and hands-on learning.
For example, early career support can help students find jobs sooner. It can also help schools find students who need more help.
Experiential learning can build practical skills. For instance, clinics and externships give students work experience before graduation.
That experience can help students enter the job market. In addition, employers can get a better view of student skills.
Alumni networks can also create career connections. For example, alumni can introduce students to lawyers and employers.
At the same time, schools do not control every employment factor. The legal economy can also affect graduate results.
Regional hiring trends can change each year. Likewise, student credentials, practice areas, and location can affect results.
Career choices matter too. Therefore, employment results should not be linked to one factor.
Why Employment Rates Matter
Law school can be expensive. In addition, many students take on debt to earn a law degree.
Therefore, employment outcomes deserve attention before students choose a school.
A strong employment score can provide a useful signal. However, students should not rely on one percentage.
Instead, applicants should review several career measures. For example, they can examine the types of jobs graduates obtain.
Students should also review bar passage rates. Furthermore, salary data can provide more context.
Tuition and debt matter as well. Meanwhile, location and career services can shape a student’s career path.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on more than employment. Students should weigh career goals, finances, and personal needs.
Employment Is Not the Only Factor
A high employment score does not mean every graduate becomes a practicing lawyer. That distinction matters when comparing schools.
Law graduates enter many fields. For example, some join law firms, while others work for government agencies or businesses.
Others work for courts or public interest groups. Therefore, job type matters as much as the overall figure.
Students should also understand how an employment score is calculated. Otherwise, they may draw the wrong conclusion.
The best law school choice will vary by student. Ultimately, career goals, finances, location, and practice interests all matter.
How to Compare Law School Jobs
Students can take several simple steps when reviewing employment data.
First, check recent results. Current figures can provide a clearer view of today’s legal market.
Next, examine long-term trends. A school with steady gains may tell a different story from one strong year.
Then, review job types. An overall percentage does not tell the entire story.
Students should find out where graduates work. For example, they can review law firm, government, business, and public interest jobs.
Finally, compare employment with cost. A strong result may not justify heavy debt for every student.
As a result, employment data should be one part of the decision. Students can then balance career prospects with cost and personal goals.
What Employment Scores Mean
The employment scores should be viewed in context. They reflect the employment measure used in the analysis.
That measure also considers the quality of jobs graduates obtain. Therefore, readers should not treat the percentage as a simple count of practicing lawyers.
For example, a 97.7% score does not mean that 97.7% of graduates became practicing attorneys.
Employment can include different types of professional positions. As a result, job type matters when comparing schools.
Students should also review the source data. For that reason, applicants should examine the full employment information before choosing a school.
In addition, students should compare these figures with bar passage, salaries, tuition, and debt. Those measures can give a fuller picture of career value.
FAQs
Which law school has the highest graduate employment score?
Texas A&M University School of Law had the highest recent score. Its average was 97.7% for the Classes of 2023 through 2025.
That figure placed Texas A&M first in the comparison. However, the score is only one career measure.
Students should also review the types of jobs graduates obtain. In addition, they should consider tuition, location, bar passage, and career support.
What are the top law schools for graduate employment?
The leading schools include Texas A&M, Pepperdine, Washington and Lee, Wisconsin, UC Irvine, and San Diego. Each recorded a recent score above 93%.
Texas A&M led the group at 97.7%. Meanwhile, Pepperdine followed at 96.6%.
Washington and Lee reached 95.9%. In addition, Wisconsin, UC Irvine, and San Diego all posted scores above 93%.
These results can help students find schools with strong job outcomes. Still, applicants should compare several measures before making a final choice.
Which law school had the biggest employment improvement?
UC Irvine School of Law recorded the largest percentage gain. Its employment score increased from 54.3% to 94.3%.
That represents a 40.1 percentage-point increase. At the same time, the school recorded 73.8% growth.
Western State College of Law ranked second for growth. Its score increased from 48.4% to 82.8%.
The University of Pittsburgh School of Law ranked third. Its score rose from 52.2% to 88.3%.
These gains show why applicants should examine trends. A school’s current score matters, but its progress matters too.
What is a good law school employment rate?
There is no single number that defines a good rate. However, a score above 90% represents a strong result in this analysis.
Students should look beyond the headline percentage. For example, they should examine the jobs graduates obtain.
Salary data can provide more context. Furthermore, bar passage rates can help students assess career results.
Debt also matters. Therefore, a school with a high score may not be the best financial choice for every student.
Should employment outcomes affect my law school choice?
Yes. Employment outcomes can help students assess career prospects. However, they should not make the decision based on employment data alone.
Applicants should compare tuition and expected debt. In addition, they should review bar passage rates, salaries, job types, and career services.
Location can matter too. For example, a school with strong local employer links may help students who plan to stay nearby.
Career goals should also guide the decision. Ultimately, the best school depends on each student’s professional and financial goals.
Are employment rankings the same as overall law school rankings?
No. Employment rankings focus on career outcomes. By contrast, broader rankings can consider reputation, selectivity, faculty resources, and academics.
As a result, the two ranking systems can produce different results. A school may have strong employment outcomes without ranking among the most prestigious schools.
Students should therefore use employment data as one research tool. Likewise, they should review other measures that match their goals.
Why did some law schools improve so much?
Several factors may contribute to stronger employment results. These include career support, alumni networks, hands-on learning, and better use of employment data.
The National Jurist analysis also highlights professional identity development and alumni engagement. In addition, schools can use employment data to find students who need career help.
The legal job market can also affect results. Therefore, employment gains may reflect both school efforts and market conditions.
Does a high employment score mean most graduates become lawyers?
Not necessarily. A high employment score is not the same as the percentage of graduates who become practicing attorneys.
The underlying measure accounts for different types and quality of employment. Therefore, students should understand the score before comparing schools.
Graduates can work in law firms, government, business, courts, and public interest organizations. In addition, some may pursue professional roles outside traditional legal practice.
For that reason, applicants should examine detailed employment reports. They can then see what types of jobs graduates actually obtain.
Why should students compare older and newer employment data?
Long-term data can show whether a school’s results are improving. For example, UC Irvine moved from 54.3% to 94.3%.
That change provides more information than one year’s result. Similarly, Western State and Pittsburgh showed major gains over time.
By reviewing both periods, applicants can spot longer-term progress. Still, past improvement does not guarantee future results.
What should students consider besides employment outcomes?
Students should consider several factors. First, they should review bar passage rates and job types.
Next, they should compare tuition and expected debt. In addition, salary data can help them assess potential financial returns.
Location is another important factor. Meanwhile, career services, alumni networks, clinics, and employer connections can affect a student’s job search.
Students should also consider their practice interests. For example, a school may have strong links in one legal market but fewer in another.
Overall, employment data is most useful when combined with other measures. That broader approach can help students make a better law school decision.
Looking for your next legal job? LawCrossingcan help you find current attorney and legal job openings that match your skills and career goals. Explore opportunities and take the next step in your legal career.
