What can you do with a Law degree?

First, some facts. Of the Law graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 348 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Law graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 63%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 68% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Law graduate.

See the details:

View a random Law graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 50%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2021 from Questrom School of Business, Boston University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Law. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Staff Consultant
A-LIGN
Jul 2021 - Apr 2022
The role of Staff Consultant at A-LIGN may involve some transferable skills such as analysis and communication, but it does not directly require the core qualifications of a Bachelor's in Law or substantially utilize legal knowledge in daily tasks.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Doctor of Law - JD
Cardozo School of Law
2023 - 2026
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Law degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


Based on the analysis of a diverse array of jobs held by individuals with law degrees from numerous institutions, it's evident that common job roles often fall into certain categories: legal practice, legal support, compliance and advisory roles, and roles less directly related to law. Many graduates have gravitated toward traditional legal positions, including attorneys, paralegals, and legal advisors at various firms or organizations, which fully utilize their legal knowledge and skills obtained during their studies. Moreover, roles such as law clerks and legal interns also represent a significant portion of the employment landscape for law graduates, as these positions necessitate practical application of legal concepts and allow for relevant experience in the legal field.

However, there is a notable number of graduates who have pursued careers in sectors that, while they may involve some legal knowledge or skills, do not primarily rely on their law education. Positions in sales, administrative roles, and project management show up quite frequently among career paths for law graduates. These roles often leverage some transferable skills such as negotiation, critical thinking, and regulatory compliance but do not engage their legal training in a substantial way. Additionally, many graduates have taken on roles in consulting or project management, where understanding of regulatory frameworks may be helpful but non-specific to the nuances of legal practice. Thus, while many law graduates effectively apply their education in law-related fields, there remains a considerable tendency for them to end up in roles disconnected from their original training.

Generally, the relevance of jobs to a law degree varies significantly across the spectrum of career choices made by graduates. Many pursue paths directly related to the legal field, ensuring their educational efforts are fully utilized. In contrast, a substantial number of law degree holders find themselves in roles where their legal background is either a supplementary asset or not utilized at all, highlighting a diversification in their potential career paths. This raises an interesting conversation about the value of a law degree beyond traditional boundaries and the skills developed through such education that can apply broadly across various industries.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Law graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Law graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

The career trajectories of Law graduates can be quite diverse, reflecting varying aspirations, market demands, and personal choices. When we look at the initial career moves right after graduation, many of these individuals start in roles that closely align with their legal training, such as paralegals, legal assistants, or internships at law firms. These positions help graduates gain relevant experience, as they often engage in tasks that provide essential skills in legal research, client management, and case preparation. From the data collected, it looks like the immediate post-graduation roles involve hands-on legal support, which can be seen clearly with many graduates holding legal internships or assistant roles directly after earning their degrees.

Fast forward five to ten years, and we see a more varied picture. Some graduates stick to traditional legal pathways, becoming attorneys, corporate lawyers, or even judges and legal advisors in governmental roles, indicating a commitment to a long-term legal career. For instance, individuals who graduated from prestigious law schools and transitioned into well-known law firms or companies seem to be doing particularly well, potentially finding themselves in partnership roles or leading significant legal departments. Conversely, a notable number of individuals seem to drift away from law-related positions and tap into alternative careers—some settling into roles in business development, sales, or even teaching. This indicates that not every law graduate remains within the legal industry, with various factors influencing their career decisions.

It's important to highlight that while many graduates do find success in law-related roles, a significant portion winds up in positions that appear less relevant to their legal education. There are numerous paths that diverge from a conventional law career; for example, some individuals shift towards business, marketing, or non-legal consultancy roles. These diversifications can raise concerns about whether graduates are applying their skills effectively, or if they are settling for roles that lack the engagement of a legal career. It's not uncommon to spot graduates taking on administrative roles or other positions that do not directly utilize their law degrees, which may suggest a need for greater support in navigating the job market after law school.

In summary, while many law graduates do find rewarding positions relevant to their degrees in the early stages of their careers, the progression over several years reveals a mixed bag in terms of career satisfaction and relevance to their training. The legal landscape can be competitive and sometimes unforgiving, leading some graduates to explore alternate fields. As such, the law degree remains a versatile qualification, offering pathways beyond traditional legal roles. Ultimately, both the immediate and long-term career trajectories of law graduates indicate the complexity of this profession and the varied definitions of success among those who follow this educational path.

How hard is a Law degree?

A Bachelor degree in Law can be pretty challenging, mainly because it requires a lot of reading, critical thinking, and understanding complex legal principles. You’ll dive into topics that can get pretty dense, and the workload can be heavier than what you might find in other degrees—there are often lots of essays and case studies. That said, if you’re passionate about the subject and enjoy digging into how the legal system works, you might find it manageable and even enjoyable! Just be prepared to put in the effort, as it’s definitely on the harder side compared to average degrees.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Law.

Do Law graduates tend to make good money?

So, looking at these law grads, everyone's got their unique journey, and it seems like some have really made it while others are still hustling. For instance, the folks from universities like Universidade de So Paulo and University of West Florida appear to have landed solid positions in law or finance, indicating they probably earn decent salaries. On the flip side, recent grads or those in roles like administrative assistants or paralegals (like the ones from the University of Arizona and Nova Southeastern University) might not be raking in the big bucks just yet, especially if they’re starting in entry-level jobs. It looks like there’s a clear divide based on experience and the type of roles they’ve snagged after graduation.

Overall, if you want to make bank as a law grad, it's best to aim for high-demand fields like corporate law, finance, or tech, where the salaries can really skyrocket over time. Meanwhile, for those in support roles, it might take a few years of experience and maybe a specialty or two before they start seeing significant financial rewards. So, it really depends on the path they choose—some are set up for success, while others might need a bit more time to climb that salary ladder!

What buzzwords do Law graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Law. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Law?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Law (ordered by the average relevance score of their Law graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count