The best law schools in the country prepare students for successful and fulfilling careers. Given how expensive those degrees are, though, do they prove worth the cost?
Payscale shared data with CNBC Make It as to how much alums of highly ranked law schools in the U.S. earn with 10 or more years of experience.
Graduates of Duke University School of Law take home the largest checks, earning a median annual salary of $243,000. Here’s how other top programs fare.
Law school ranking: 1
Mid-career median pay: $195,000
Tuition: $62,017
Estimated annual cost of attendance: $85,294
Law school ranking: 2
Mid-career median pay: $222,000
Tuition: $60,072
Estimated annual cost of attendance: $96,429
Law school ranking: 3
Mid-career median pay: $210,000
Tuition: $63,800
Estimated annual cost of attendance: $95,930
Law school ranking: 4
Mid-career median pay: $166,000
Tuition: $61,626
Estimated annual cost of attendance: $93,414
Law school ranking: 5
Mid-career median pay: $214,000
Tuition: $65,252
Estimated annual cost of attendance: $93,740
Law school ranking: 6
Mid-career median pay: $211,000
Tuition: $61,644
Estimated annual cost of attendance: $92,906
Law school ranking: 7
Mid-career median pay: $190,000
Tuition: $61,608
Estimated annual cost of attendance: $95,400
Law school ranking: 8 (TIE)
Mid-career median pay: $164,000
Tuition: $30,045 (out-of-state resident)
Estimated annual cost of attendance: $80,018
Law school ranking: 8 (TIE)
Mid-career median pay: $185,000
Tuition: $63,700 (out-of-state resident)
Estimated annual cost of attendance: $83,156
Law school ranking: 10
Mid-career median pay: $243,000
Tuition: $61,000
Estimated annual cost of attendance: $86,600
Don’t miss: Here’s how much grads earn 10 years after attending the top business schools in America
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