AccessLex Provides Update to Legal Education Data Deck in New Release

West Chester, PA – April 29, 2025 – AccessLex Institute^® released its newest Legal Education Data Deck, which includes the latest information on law school admission and applicant characteristics, degrees awarded, and scholarships. The updated publication highlights developments in access and affordability in legal education.

In 2024, 79% of White law school applicants received at least one offer of admission compared to 45% of Black applicants. Meanwhile, 68% of female applicants were admitted compared to 72% of male applicants.

Black and Hispanic students withdraw from law school at disproportionate rates compared to their White peers, comprising 22% of first-year enrollment in the entering class of 2023-24 and 33% of non-transfer attrition after the 1L year. By comparison, White students comprised 58% of the entering class and only 47% of non-transfer attrition.

Financial aid awards also differ among groups. Black and Hispanic/Latine law students are awarded financial aid packages with a lower proportion of institutional grants than their White and Asian peers. Institutional grants comprise 11% of the average aid awarded to Black students and 16% of that awarded to Hispanic/Latine students, but 36% of aid awarded to White students.

Conditional scholarships, which offer greater access to law school but can be rescinded based on subsequent academic performance, are increasingly rare. In 2023, 19% of entering students received conditional scholarships, representing the lowest share of all matriculants since 2011.

“The Data Deck serves a dual purpose of informing the public of key trends in legal education while also providing evidence to support AccessLex Institute’s ongoing work to improve access, affordability, and value in legal education,” stated Tiffane Cochran, Vice President of Research, AccessLex Institute. “The latest updates to the publication underscore the need for continued effort in these areas while strengthening our resolve to address them.”

Review the updated Data Deck.

The Legal Education Data Deck utilizes datasets made publicly available by third parties to offer a snapshot of certain trends organized around the three guiding principles of AccessLex Institute’s research agenda: access, affordability, and value in legal education. This is a living document that is updated periodically — AccessLex welcomes comments, criticisms, and suggestions in order to make this as useful a tool as possible for all those we serve. Data from the following organizations, institutions, and federal agencies is included: Law School Admission Council, National Conference of Bar Examiners, National Association for Law Placement, American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, U.S. Department of Education, and U.S. Department of Labor.

About AccessLex Institute^®:     

AccessLex Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to helping talented, purpose-driven students find their path from aspiring lawyer to fulfilled professional. In partnership with its nearly 200 member law schools, improving access and positively influencing legal education have been at the heart of the Company’s mission since 1983. Learn more about how AccessLex is empowering the next generation of lawyers at AccessLex.org.