The following charts, grouped by Risk Level, show change in federal investment between 2010 and 2014. Risk level is determined by the 25th Percentile LSAT score for students who entered in 2014. Schools that are either "Extreme," "Very High," or "High" risk are "Serious Risk." More on risk levels.
Click anywhere on the chart and drag your cursor to zoom.
Group Average uses a normal average rather than a weighted average. Risk level is determined by the 25th Percentile LSAT score for students who entered in 2014. Schools that are either "Extreme," "Very High," or "High" risk are "Serious Risk." More on risk levels. Total Federal Investment is the amount cumulatively borrowed by law school graduates at a law school. We determined each group by that amount, and then found the average federal investment at the schools in the group. The amount borrowed does not include interest that accumulated during law school, debt from other degree programs, or private debt related to attending law school. Learn about Total Federal Investment
The Adjusted Total estimates the actual total investment. We assume an average amount borrowed based on known debt figures for the group and borrowing rates based on school type (regardless of group). The caption under each adjusted figure shows how many graduates at how many schools for which we used an estimate.
| Grouped by Risk Level | Federal Investment for 2010 Graduates 36,753 Borrowing Graduates |
Federal Investment for 2014 Graduates 34,006 Borrowing Graduates (-7.5%) |
Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Average | Adjusted Total | Group Average | Adjusted Total | ||
| Minimal Risk 51 schools |
$21.7 Million | $1.12 Billion Known TFI + 502 Grads at 2 Schools |
$25.1 Million Per School |
$1.28 Billion Known TFI + 0 Grads at 0 Schools |
14.7% |
| Low Risk 31 schools |
$19 Million | $589.3 Million Known TFI + 0 Grads at 0 Schools |
$20.4 Million Per School |
$632.2 Million Known TFI + 0 Grads at 0 Schools |
7.3% |
| Modest Risk 41 schools |
$15.5 Million | $631.7 Million Known TFI + 128 Grads at 1 Schools |
$16 Million Per School |
$649.8 Million Known TFI + 242 Grads at 2 Schools |
2.9% |
| High Risk 29 schools |
$19.4 Million | $570.5 Million Known TFI + 254 Grads at 1 Schools |
$20.3 Million Per School |
$567.3 Million Known TFI + 0 Grads at 1 Schools |
-0.6% |
| Very High Risk 19 schools |
$16.9 Million | $321.9 Million Known TFI + 0 Grads at 0 Schools |
$19 Million Per School |
$375.7 Million Known TFI + 420 Grads at 2 Schools |
16.7% |
| Extreme Risk 26 schools |
$18.6 Million | $462.6 Million Known TFI + 152 Grads at 2 Schools |
$25.1 Million Per School |
$541.7 Million Known TFI + 672 Grads at 8 Schools |
17.1% |
| Serious Risk Schools 74 schools |
$18.5 Million | $1.36 Billion Known TFI + 406 Grads at 3 Schools |
$21.3 Million Per School |
$1.48 Billion Known TFI + 1,092 Grads at 11 Schools |
9.2% |
| Other Schools 123 schools |
$18.9 Million | $2.34 Billion Known TFI + 630 Grads at 3 Schools |
$21 Million Per School |
$2.56 Billion Known TFI + 242 Grads at 2 Schools |
9.8% |
Read this chart across each row. For example, the federal government increased its investment at the 51 schools with Minimal Risk by 14.7% for graduates between 2010 and 2014, from $1.12 Billion to $1.28 Billion.
| School | Risk Level | Total Federal Investment for 2010 Graduates | Total Federal Investment for 2014 Graduates | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown Universitygulc, gtown | Minimal | $67,887,045 | $74,511,855 | 9.8% |
| New York Universitynyu | Minimal | $49,566,924 | $52,301,376 | 5.5% |
| George Washington Universitygw | Minimal | $45,430,000 | $64,453,776 | 41.9% |
| Loyola Marymount Universityloyola-la | Minimal | $43,780,377 | $49,775,237 | 13.7% |
| Fordham Universityfordham | Minimal | $43,717,040 | $43,297,716 | -1% |
| Columbia Universitycolumbia, cls | Minimal | $42,272,685 | $54,851,056 | 29.8% |
| University of Michiganmichigan, umich, um, uofm | Minimal | $35,097,629 | $41,331,576 | 17.8% |
| University of Virginiauva | Minimal | $34,470,264 | $35,953,504 | 4.3% |
| University of California - Los Angelesucla | Minimal | $28,172,076 | $31,356,094 | 11.3% |
| Santa Clara Universitysantaclara, scu | Minimal | $26,930,988 | $29,726,830 | 10.4% |
| Northwestern Universitynorthwestern, nu, nw | Minimal | $26,006,260 | $37,994,145 | 46.1% |
| Tulane Universitytulane | Minimal | $25,172,582 | $25,514,665 | 1.4% |
| University of Pennsylvaniapenn, upenn | Minimal | $24,850,092 | $26,780,412 | 7.8% |
| University of Texastexas, ut | Minimal | $23,992,848 | $26,225,680 | 9.3% |
| Boston Universitybu | Minimal | $23,915,400 | $17,471,700 | -26.9% |
| University of California - Berkeleyberkeley, ucb, boalt | Minimal | $23,001,804 | $32,154,304 | 39.8% |
| Boston Collegebc | Minimal | $22,828,300 | $20,371,260 | -10.8% |
| Washington University in St Louiswashu, wustl | Minimal | $21,937,806 | $19,819,410 | -9.7% |
| University of Chicagochicago, uchi | Minimal | $21,119,505 | $22,861,810 | 8.2% |
| Temple Universitytemple, beasley | Minimal | $20,874,672 | $18,199,401 | -12.8% |
| Duke Universityduke, dook | Minimal | $20,617,891 | $21,569,832 | 4.6% |
| University of Minnesotaminnesota, uminn | Minimal | $20,454,336 | $21,993,930 | 7.5% |
| Emory Universityemory | Minimal | $20,442,616 | $24,998,700 | 22.3% |
| University of Southern Californiausc, gould | Minimal | $19,399,545 | $22,357,569 | 15.2% |
| Cornell Universitycornell | Minimal | $19,278,000 | $21,465,000 | 11.3% |
| George Mason Universitygmu | Minimal | $18,832,704 | $19,768,788 | 5% |
| Vanderbilt Universityvanderbilt, vandy | Minimal | $18,240,480 | $17,982,069 | -1.4% |
| Case Western Reserve Universitycasewestern, cwru | Minimal | $16,947,000 | $16,202,052 | -4.4% |
| Southern Methodist Universitysmu, dedman | Minimal | $16,935,408 | $24,424,932 | 44.2% |
| University of Wisconsinwisconsin | Minimal | $16,675,365 | $14,445,886 | -13.4% |
| Yale Universityyale, yls | Minimal | $14,918,196 | $20,725,461 | 38.9% |
| Ohio State Universityosu, moritz | Minimal | $14,816,256 | $16,881,654 | 13.9% |
| William and Marywm, marshall-wythe | Minimal | $14,784,324 | $16,742,790 | 13.2% |
| Stanford Universitystanford, sls | Minimal | $14,723,784 | $18,708,002 | 27.1% |
| University of California - Davisdavis, ucd, king | Minimal | $14,628,671 | $12,154,740 | -16.9% |
| University of Iowaiowa | Minimal | $14,502,015 | $13,486,458 | -7% |
| University of Notre Damenotredame, nd | Minimal | $13,108,020 | $16,362,570 | 24.8% |
| Arizona State Universityasu, o'connor | Minimal | $12,554,358 | $13,348,047 | 6.3% |
| Wake Forest Universitywake, wf | Minimal | $12,491,882 | $17,850,312 | 42.9% |
| University of Georgiageorgia, uga | Minimal | $11,619,129 | $15,011,425 | 29.2% |
| Washington and Lee Universitywl | Minimal | $11,550,730 | $11,161,044 | -3.4% |
| University of Illinoisillinois, uofi, urbana-champaign | Minimal | $11,520,720 | $14,106,764 | 22.4% |
| University of Coloradocolorado, cu, boulder | Minimal | $11,047,964 | $16,162,920 | 46.3% |
| University of Arizonaarizona, rogers | Minimal | $10,820,856 | $10,699,696 | -1.1% |
| University of North Carolinaunc, chapel hill | Minimal | $10,597,312 | $18,217,575 | 71.9% |
| University of Washingtonwashington, uw | Minimal | $9,128,592 | $16,746,420 | 83.5% |
| Florida State Universityfsu | Minimal | $9,021,726 | $18,325,500 | 103.1% |
| University of Alabamaalabama, bama | Minimal | $8,159,000 | $7,846,720 | -3.8% |
| Brigham Young Universitybyu, clark | Minimal | $6,277,800 | $5,366,097 | -14.5% |
| Harvard Universityharvard, hls | Minimal | - | $62,057,149 | - |
| University of California - Irvineirvine, uci | Minimal | - | $7,716,825 | - |
| Brooklyn Law Schoolbrooklyn | Low | $37,978,459 | $34,715,806 | -8.6% |
| University of Miamimiami, um, the u | Low | $35,832,932 | $46,318,090 | 29.3% |
| University of California - Hastingshastings, uch | Low | $35,620,823 | $46,762,436 | 31.3% |
| Cardozo-Yeshiva Universitycardozo | Low | $34,373,371 | $33,330,456 | -3% |
| University of San Diegosandiego, usd | Low | $33,651,342 | $28,136,463 | -16.4% |
| University of Denverdenver, du, sturm | Low | $33,310,584 | $31,832,003 | -4.4% |
| St. John's Universitystjohns | Low | $28,091,250 | $23,063,554 | -17.9% |
| Loyola University Chicagoloyola-chicago | Low | $22,467,436 | $29,692,960 | 32.2% |
| Pepperdine Universitypepperdine | Low | $21,019,152 | $21,828,750 | 3.9% |
| Indiana University - Bloomingtonindiana, IU, mauer | Low | $20,550,378 | $16,161,300 | -21.4% |
| University of Marylandmaryland, carey | Low | $19,165,697 | $22,378,077 | 16.8% |
| Syracuse Universitysyracuse | Low | $19,163,040 | $21,584,583 | 12.6% |
| Lewis and Clark Collegelewisandclark, northwestern | Low | $19,067,040 | $25,921,056 | 35.9% |
| Northeastern Universitynortheastern | Low | $18,884,527 | $25,364,584 | 34.3% |
| University of Floridaflorida, uf, levin | Low | $18,792,032 | $20,108,040 | 7% |
| Penn State Universitypennstate, dickinson | Low | $18,170,306 | $19,195,510 | 5.6% |
| Rutgers State University - Newarkrutgers-newark | Low | $17,461,346 | $18,527,949 | 6.1% |
| Chapman Universitychapman | Low | $17,374,664 | $16,178,761 | -6.9% |
| University of Oregonoregon | Low | $15,530,010 | $16,944,000 | 9.1% |
| University of Houstonhouston, uhlc, uh | Low | $15,331,866 | $18,176,120 | 18.6% |
| Baylor Universitybaylor | Low | $12,884,608 | $11,316,602 | -12.2% |
| University of Richmondrichmond, williams | Low | $12,151,800 | $13,135,220 | 8.1% |
| University of Connecticutuconn | Low | $11,829,346 | $10,590,989 | -10.5% |
| University of Oklahomaoklahoma, ou | Low | $10,695,584 | $9,242,157 | -13.6% |
| Louisiana State Universitylsu, hebert | Low | $9,794,142 | $16,731,077 | 70.8% |
| University of Nevada - Las Vegasunlv | Low | $9,559,750 | $11,064,258 | 15.7% |
| University of Tennesseetennessee, utk | Low | $9,306,726 | $8,010,321 | -13.9% |
| University of Missouri - Columbiamissouri, mizzou | Low | $8,837,888 | $7,872,813 | -10.9% |
| Georgia State Universitygsu | Low | $7,807,488 | $11,590,452 | 48.5% |
| University of Utahutah, uu, quinney | Low | $7,338,135 | $9,132,100 | 24.4% |
| University of Kansaskansas, ku | Low | $7,214,596 | $7,339,220 | 1.7% |
| American Universityamerican, washington college of law | Modest | $53,223,311 | $60,858,712 | 14.3% |
| Stetson Universitystetson | Modest | $36,167,944 | $37,840,470 | 4.6% |
| Catholic University of Americacatholic, columbus | Modest | $34,874,580 | $22,000,024 | -36.9% |
| Loyola University New Orleansloyola-neworleans | Modest | $31,835,700 | $22,871,048 | -28.2% |
| Michigan State Universitymsu, michstate, detroit college of law, dcl | Modest | $31,231,872 | $23,109,548 | -26% |
| St. Louis Universityslu | Modest | $30,960,000 | $29,615,720 | -4.3% |
| Seton Hall Universitysetonhall | Modest | $29,659,036 | $27,413,400 | -7.6% |
| Seattle Universityseattle | Modest | $28,760,350 | $37,190,162 | 29.3% |
| Villanova Universityvillanova | Modest | $22,890,670 | $17,439,351 | -23.8% |
| Chicago-Kent College of Lawkent, illinois institute of technology | Modest | $20,160,980 | $26,973,900 | 33.8% |
| Rutgers State University - Camdenrutgers-camden | Modest | $20,017,935 | - | - |
| Texas A&Mtexasam, texas wesleyan, tamu | Modest | $18,052,710 | $17,077,500 | -5.4% |
| Gonzaga Universitygonzaga | Modest | $17,716,284 | $17,464,464 | -1.4% |
| University of San Franciscosanfrancisco, usf | Modest | $16,997,552 | $26,697,533 | 57.1% |
| Duquesne Universityduquesne | Modest | $15,114,360 | $12,577,032 | -16.8% |
| University of Pittsburghpitt | Modest | $14,665,556 | $17,795,292 | 21.3% |
| University of South Carolinasouthcarolina, usc | Modest | $13,174,932 | $13,534,400 | 2.7% |
| University of New Hampshirenh, franklin pierce | Modest | $13,102,576 | $13,725,997 | 4.8% |
| University of St. Thomas - Minneapolisstthomas | Modest | $12,932,654 | $12,449,724 | -3.7% |
| SUNY Buffalobuffalo | Modest | $12,350,286 | $11,781,550 | -4.6% |
| University of Tulsatulsa | Modest | $12,196,195 | $8,143,010 | -33.2% |
| University of Missouri - Kansas Citymissouri-kc, umkc | Modest | $10,982,807 | - | - |
| Cleveland-Marshall College of Lawcleveland | Modest | $10,435,642 | $12,223,544 | 17.1% |
| Texas Tech Universitytexastech, ttu | Modest | $10,040,708 | $13,652,064 | 36% |
| Drexel Universitydrexel | Modest | $9,581,220 | $10,845,970 | 13.2% |
| Wayne State Universitywayne | Modest | $9,115,944 | $11,582,745 | 27.1% |
| University of Louisvillelouisville, brandeis | Modest | $8,868,915 | $9,199,890 | 3.7% |
| University of Mississippimississippi, ole miss | Modest | $7,689,488 | $10,585,435 | 37.7% |
| Quinnipiac Universityquinnipiac | Modest | $7,507,968 | $11,275,864 | 50.2% |
| CUNYcuny-queens, city university of new york | Modest | $6,871,662 | $9,642,555 | 40.3% |
| University of Memphismemphis, humphreys | Modest | $6,841,548 | $8,661,330 | 26.6% |
| University of Cincinnaticincinnati | Modest | $6,722,325 | $8,356,267 | 24.3% |
| West Virginia Universitywvu | Modest | $6,668,214 | $9,489,424 | 42.3% |
| University of Arkansas - Fayettevillearkansas-fayetteville | Modest | $6,255,738 | $6,290,559 | 0.6% |
| University of Nebraskanebraska | Modest | $5,467,660 | $5,794,620 | 6% |
| University of Kentuckykentucky, uk | Modest | $5,053,077 | $7,674,600 | 51.9% |
| University of Montanamontana | Modest | $4,436,424 | $5,127,552 | 15.6% |
| University of New Mexiconewmexico | Modest | $4,113,272 | $6,889,813 | 67.5% |
| University of Hawaiihawaii, richardson, manoa | Modest | $3,868,194 | $4,107,418 | 6.2% |
| University of Wyomingwyoming | Modest | $2,955,963 | $3,756,872 | 27.1% |
| Florida International Universityfiu | Modest | - | $12,214,840 | - |
| New York Law Schoolnewyork, nyls | High | $53,268,902 | $57,317,968 | 7.6% |
| University of the Pacificpacific, mcgeorge | High | $36,621,075 | $23,325,822 | -36.3% |
| South Texas College of Law Houstonsouthtexas | High | $36,387,114 | $37,764,336 | 3.8% |
| Hofstra Universityhofstra, deane | High | $32,860,220 | $36,486,084 | 11% |
| Southwestern Law Schoolsouthwestern | High | $32,639,991 | - | - |
| Albany Law Schoolalbany, union | High | $27,215,349 | $22,521,832 | -17.2% |
| William Mitchell College of Lawwilliammitchell | High | $26,575,776 | $29,677,784 | 11.7% |
| University of Baltimorebaltimore | High | $26,458,686 | $29,943,225 | 13.2% |
| Widener University - Delawarewidener, wilmington | High | $25,962,888 | $29,238,090 | 12.6% |
| DePaul Universitydepaul | High | $24,386,124 | $31,347,855 | 28.5% |
| Marquette Universitymarquette | High | $22,910,576 | $25,292,204 | 10.4% |
| St. Mary's Universitystmarys | High | $19,323,895 | $20,903,978 | 8.2% |
| Pace Universitypace | High | $16,687,206 | $22,847,660 | 36.9% |
| University of Detroit Mercydetroit-mercy | High | $16,392,460 | $16,266,135 | -0.8% |
| Creighton Universitycreighton | High | $14,595,840 | $15,443,492 | 5.8% |
| Howard Universityhoward | High | $14,112,504 | $13,394,268 | -5.1% |
| Samford Universitysamford, cumberland | High | $13,589,100 | $13,651,660 | 0.5% |
| Regent Universityregent | High | $12,962,208 | $14,142,854 | 9.1% |
| Mercer Universitymercer, george | High | $12,459,030 | $15,286,722 | 22.7% |
| Drake Universitydrake | High | $11,813,304 | $13,280,554 | 12.4% |
| Campbell Universitycampbell | High | $11,799,856 | $11,798,515 | -0% |
| Willamette Universitywillamette, collins | High | $11,144,334 | $15,379,187 | 38% |
| University of Toledotoledo | High | $10,688,822 | $10,758,564 | 0.7% |
| Washburn Universitywashburn | High | $9,980,512 | $8,089,412 | -18.9% |
| University of Akronakron | High | $6,736,688 | $8,396,844 | 24.6% |
| University of Idahoidaho | High | $6,644,295 | $10,015,056 | 50.7% |
| University of Mainemaine | High | $5,816,508 | $8,038,171 | 38.2% |
| Liberty Universityliberty | High | $3,349,728 | $4,863,250 | 45.2% |
| Indiana University - Indianapolisindiana-indy, IU | High | - | $21,843,126 | - |
| California Western School of Lawcalwestern | Very High | $36,405,250 | $30,088,203 | -17.4% |
| University of Illinois Chicago School of Lawjohnmarshall-chicago,jmls,uic | Very High | $35,854,710 | $51,092,408 | 42.5% |
| New England School of Lawnewengland | Very High | $27,623,130 | - | - |
| Nova Southeastern Universitynova, broad | Very High | $26,961,290 | $32,884,450 | 22% |
| Touro Collegetouro, fuchsberg | Very High | $21,833,694 | $25,860,785 | 18.4% |
| Golden Gate Universitygoldengate | Very High | $20,465,830 | $23,552,368 | 15.1% |
| John Marshall Law School - Atlantajohnmarshal-atl,jmls | Very High | $19,560,975 | - | - |
| Vermont Law Schoolvermont | Very High | $19,187,100 | $17,081,717 | -11% |
| Roger Williams Universityrogerwilliams, rwu | Very High | $18,500,700 | $19,152,907 | 3.5% |
| Oklahoma City Universityocu | Very High | $17,912,130 | $16,277,784 | -9.1% |
| Hamline Universityhamline | Very High | $16,179,580 | $20,937,005 | 29.4% |
| Widener University - Pennsylvaniawidener, harrisburg | Very High | $12,421,899 | $14,062,129 | 13.2% |
| Elon Law Schoolelon | Very High | $9,172,251 | $11,787,516 | 28.5% |
| Northern Kentucky Universitynku, chase | Very High | $8,595,873 | $10,456,614 | 21.6% |
| University of Daytondayton | Very High | $8,482,000 | $13,618,320 | 60.6% |
| Western State Universitywesternstate, argosy | Very High | $6,816,579 | $16,487,950 | 141.9% |
| University of Arkansas - Little Rockarkansas-littlerock, bowen | Very High | $6,118,266 | $7,300,860 | 19.3% |
| University of The District of Columbiaudc, clarke | Very High | $5,002,689 | $5,341,775 | 6.8% |
| Northern Illinois Universityniu | Very High | $4,786,368 | $6,328,924 | 32.2% |
| Western Michigan University - Cooley Law Schoolcooley, wmu | Extreme | $88,447,128 | - | - |
| Florida Coastal School of Lawfloridacoastal, infilaw | Extreme | $47,441,540 | $73,253,250 | 54.4% |
| Suffolk Universitysuffolk | Extreme | $47,095,563 | $50,696,067 | 7.6% |
| Thomas Jefferson School of Lawthomasjefferson, tjsl | Extreme | $28,843,920 | $46,042,815 | 59.6% |
| Barry Universitybarry | Extreme | $25,400,250 | $29,685,825 | 16.9% |
| St. Thomas University - Floridastu | Extreme | $20,276,070 | $27,739,176 | 36.8% |
| Charleston School of Lawcharleston, csol | Extreme | $20,057,076 | $25,142,301 | 25.4% |
| Valparaiso Universityvalparaiso, valpo | Extreme | $17,728,308 | $21,121,600 | 19.1% |
| Capital Universitycapital | Extreme | $17,065,290 | $17,015,100 | -0.3% |
| Western New England University School of Lawwesternnewengland | Extreme | $16,029,790 | $11,711,160 | -26.9% |
| North Carolina Central Universitynccu, nc central | Extreme | $14,446,408 | $7,083,442 | -51% |
| Whittier Law Schoolwhittier | Extreme | $13,615,030 | $26,833,554 | 97.1% |
| Mississippi Collegemississippicollege | Extreme | $12,963,384 | $17,775,200 | 37.1% |
| Texas Southern Universitytexassouthern, tsu, marshall | Extreme | $9,585,000 | - | - |
| Florida A&M Universityfamu | Extreme | $9,434,713 | - | - |
| University of La Vernelaverne | Extreme | $9,212,567 | - | - |
| Ohio Northern Universityonu, pettit | Extreme | $8,866,132 | $9,806,524 | 10.6% |
| Southern Illinois Universitysiu, carbondale | Extreme | $7,812,591 | - | - |
| Southern University Law Centersouthern | Extreme | $7,366,788 | $12,099,519 | 64.2% |
| Ave Maria School of Lawavemaria | Extreme | $7,336,308 | $12,694,656 | 73% |
| Charlotte School of Lawcharlotte, infilaw, csol | Extreme | $6,941,373 | $53,681,696 | 673.4% |
| University of North Dakotanorthdakota, UND | Extreme | $4,145,408 | $4,213,170 | 1.6% |
| Faulkner Universityfaulkner, jones | Extreme | $3,737,000 | - | - |
| University of South Dakotasouthdakota | Extreme | $2,982,056 | $5,764,299 | 93.3% |
| Appalachian School of Lawappalachian | Extreme | - | - | - |
| Arizona Summit Law Schoolarizonasummit, phoenix, infilaw | Extreme | - | - | - |