General
Pre-Law And Legal Studies
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Pre-Law And Legal Studies.
Entry Level Salary
$41,650
Median Salary
$79,135
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
30.5%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,165,400
Entry (Early)
$41,650
Median (Prime)
$79,135
High (Prime)
$77,713
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-80k
+236k
+225k
$25k / yr
-170k
+146k
+135k
$50k / yr
-260k
+56k
+45k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
27
27
$25k / yr
Never
34
35
$50k / yr
Never
47
49
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-156%
135%
124%
$50k / yr
-119%
26%
21%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate32.9%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Paralegals and legal assistants
14.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,757|$61,010
openings
39,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.2%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
13.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$70,907
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$110,909|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Management occupations
3.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$59,779
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$41,845|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Elementary and middle school teachers
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$48,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$59,779|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Police officers
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,994
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$77,713|$76,300
openings
53,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%
Customer service representatives
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$40,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$46,856|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%
Top executives
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$98,138
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$150,981|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
1.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$29,143
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$53,095|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
Accountants and auditors
1.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$51,021
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$71,000|$81,680
openings
124,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.6%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| law. | Bachelor's Degree | 4 | $156,311 - $156,311 |
| law. | Master's Degree | 21 | $54,265 - $102,929 |
| law. | Doctoral Degree | 35 | $76,572 - $261,230 |
| law. | First Professional Degree | 188 | $39,634 - $308,943 |
| legal research and advanced professional studies. | Bachelor's Degree | 11 | $48,808 - $87,416 |
| legal research and advanced professional studies. | Post-bacc Certificate | 7 | $73,999 - $143,942 |
| legal research and advanced professional studies. | Master's Degree | 113 | $54,560 - $171,631 |
| legal research and advanced professional studies. | Doctoral Degree | 14 | $123,199 - $123,199 |
| legal research and advanced professional studies. | First Professional Degree | 22 | $81,178 - $155,436 |
| legal research and advanced professional studies. | Graduate Certificate | 17 | $93,818 - $312,330 |
| legal support services. | Undergrad Certificate | 290 | $23,012 - $92,546 |
| legal support services. | Associate's Degree | 457 | $33,578 - $66,628 |
| legal support services. | Bachelor's Degree | 100 | $37,876 - $67,713 |
| legal support services. | Post-bacc Certificate | 19 | $46,846 - $62,873 |
| legal support services. | Master's Degree | 5 | $67,050 - $93,331 |
| legal support services. | Graduate Certificate | 6 | $74,783 - $79,119 |