Law School Applications Surge as New Grads Face Tough Job Market

Law school applications have surged to their highest levels in over a decade, jumping 18.3% during the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. The increase comes as recent college graduates struggle to find employment in a weakening labor market.

Experts attribute the trend to strong hiring rates for law graduates and growing interest in the legal profession. "Young professionals out of college are struggling to find jobs," noted Mike Spivey of Spivey Consulting. "When opportunities are scarce, law school becomes an attractive alternative."

The rise in enrollment could eventually saturate the job market for lawyers, creating new challenges for future graduates. With 76,600 applicants this cycle compared to 64,749 last year, the legal field may face increased competition in coming years.