LST Investigations | Visual Navigator

You are viewing Graduate Debt at ABA-approved law schools grouped by Type of School

The following charts, grouped by Type of School, show change in average debt between 2010 and 2014.

Click anywhere on the chart and drag your cursor to zoom.

We use normal averages rather than weighted averages on this page. Debt is not the amount owed, but the amount borrowed. It does not include interest that accumulated during law school, debt from other degree programs, or private debt related to attending law school. Note also that these amounts reflect only graduates.

The school numbers do not always match up across 2010 and 2014 because some schools inconsistently disclose/withhold debt data.

Grouped by Type of School	Debt for 2010 Graduates 36,753 Borrowing Graduates		Debt for 2014 Graduates 34,006 Borrowing Graduates (-7.5%)		Change
Grouped by Type of School	Averaged Borrowed	% Borrowing	Averaged Borrowed	% Borrowing	$	%
Public Schools	$76K 81 schools	84.8%	$90K 79 schools	81.8%	19.6%	-3%
Private Schools	$109K 105 schools	85.4%	$128K 101 schools	83.2%	16.8%	-2.2%
For-Profit Schools	$117K 5 schools	87.2%	$143K 4 schools	90.4%	22%	3.2%

Read this chart across each row. For example, average debt at Public Schools increased 19.6% from 2010 to 2014, from $76K to $90K.

School	Type	2010 Grad Avg. Borrowed	2014 Grad Avg. Borrowed	Change
University of Illinois Chicago School of Lawjohnmarshall-chicago,jmls,uic	Public	$125,806	$143,518	14.1%
Penn State Universitypennstate, dickinson	Public	$117,989	$123,842	5%
University of New Hampshirenh, franklin pierce	Public	$115,952	$121,469	4.8%
Indiana University - Bloomingtonindiana, IU, mauer	Public	$113,538	$89,785	-20.9%
University of Michiganmichigan, umich, um, uofm	Public	$112,133	$132,473	18.1%
Michigan State Universitymsu, michstate, detroit college of law, dcl	Public	$108,444	$95,494	-11.9%
University of Virginiauva	Public	$107,384	$132,182	23.1%
University of California - Los Angelesucla	Public	$103,956	$121,066	16.5%
North Carolina Central Universitynccu, nc central	Public	$98,948	$58,061	-41.3%
University of California - Davisdavis, ucd, king	Public	$98,179	$93,498	-4.8%
George Mason Universitygmu	Public	$98,087	$126,723	29.2%
Rutgers State University - Camdenrutgers-camden	Public	$96,705	-	-
University of California - Hastingshastings, uch	Public	$96,013	$129,178	34.5%
University of Baltimorebaltimore	Public	$94,834	$114,725	21%
University of Oregonoregon	Public	$91,353	$105,900	15.9%
University of Minnesotaminnesota, uminn	Public	$91,314	$104,733	14.7%
University of California - Berkeleyberkeley, ucb, boalt	Public	$91,277	$143,546	57.3%
University of Missouri - Kansas Citymissouri-kc, umkc	Public	$90,767	-	-
Arizona State Universityasu, o'connor	Public	$89,038	$97,431	9.4%
Texas A&Mtexasam, texas wesleyan, tamu	Public	$88,062	$103,500	17.5%
University of Iowaiowa	Public	$87,891	$92,373	5.1%
Florida A&M Universityfamu	Public	$86,557	-	-
University of Pittsburghpitt	Public	$84,772	$103,461	22%
University of Marylandmaryland, carey	Public	$83,693	$102,183	22.1%
William and Marywm, marshall-wythe	Public	$83,058	$98,487	18.6%
Temple Universitytemple, beasley	Public	$82,836	$97,323	17.5%
Ohio State Universityosu, moritz	Public	$81,408	$97,021	19.2%
Washburn Universitywashburn	Public	$80,488	$83,396	3.6%
University of Illinoisillinois, uofi, urbana-champaign	Public	$80,005	$89,852	12.3%
University of Oklahomaoklahoma, ou	Public	$78,644	$81,789	4%
University of Arizonaarizona, rogers	Public	$78,412	$95,533	21.8%
University of Texastexas, ut	Public	$78,408	$100,868	28.6%
Rutgers State University - Newarkrutgers-newark	Public	$78,302	$89,507	14.3%
University of Louisvillelouisville, brandeis	Public	$77,121	$90,195	17%
University of Toledotoledo	Public	$76,898	$96,924	26%
University of Wisconsinwisconsin	Public	$76,845	$79,373	3.3%
University of Mainemaine	Public	$76,533	$101,749	32.9%
University of Nevada - Las Vegasunlv	Public	$76,478	$99,678	30.3%
University of South Carolinasouthcarolina, usc	Public	$75,718	$84,590	11.7%
University of The District of Columbiaudc, clarke	Public	$74,667	$73,175	-2%
University of Idahoidaho	Public	$74,655	$92,732	24.2%
Northern Kentucky Universitynku, chase	Public	$73,469	$82,989	13%
Cleveland-Marshall College of Lawcleveland	Public	$71,477	$89,879	25.7%
University of Georgiageorgia, uga	Public	$71,283	$88,825	24.6%
CUNYcuny-queens, city university of new york	Public	$70,119	$82,415	17.5%
Louisiana State Universitylsu, hebert	Public	$69,462	$89,471	28.8%
University of Missouri - Columbiamissouri, mizzou	Public	$69,046	$67,289	-2.5%
Texas Southern Universitytexassouthern, tsu, marshall	Public	$67,500	-	-
University of Memphismemphis, humphreys	Public	$67,074	$78,030	16.3%
Wayne State Universitywayne	Public	$67,029	$79,881	19.2%
University of Coloradocolorado, cu, boulder	Public	$66,554	$116,280	74.7%
University of Connecticutuconn	Public	$66,457	$70,139	5.5%
University of Houstonhouston, uhlc, uh	Public	$65,802	$88,664	34.7%
University of Tennesseetennessee, utk	Public	$65,082	$66,201	1.7%
University of North Dakotanorthdakota, UND	Public	$64,772	$64,818	0.1%
Southern Illinois Universitysiu, carbondale	Public	$63,517	-	-
University of Washingtonwashington, uw	Public	$63,393	$105,990	67.2%
University of Floridaflorida, uf, levin	Public	$62,432	$82,410	32%
University of Mississippimississippi, ole miss	Public	$62,012	$73,003	17.7%
University of Utahutah, uu, quinney	Public	$61,665	$78,725	27.7%
University of Montanamontana	Public	$61,617	$71,216	15.6%
University of North Carolinaunc, chapel hill	Public	$60,212	$92,475	53.6%
University of Akronakron	Public	$60,149	$82,322	36.9%
Texas Tech Universitytexastech, ttu	Public	$60,124	$84,272	40.2%
West Virginia Universitywvu	Public	$60,074	$84,727	41%
University of Arkansas - Little Rockarkansas-littlerock, bowen	Public	$59,983	$69,532	15.9%
University of Hawaiihawaii, richardson, manoa	Public	$58,609	$56,266	-4%
University of Cincinnaticincinnati	Public	$58,455	$76,663	31.1%
Georgia State Universitygsu	Public	$57,408	$69,822	21.6%
SUNY Buffalobuffalo	Public	$56,394	$76,010	34.8%
University of Arkansas - Fayettevillearkansas-fayetteville	Public	$56,358	$63,541	12.7%
Southern University Law Centersouthern	Public	$55,809	$77,067	38.1%
University of New Mexiconewmexico	Public	$54,122	$71,029	31.2%
University of South Dakotasouthdakota	Public	$53,251	$78,963	48.3%
University of Wyomingwyoming	Public	$51,859	$67,087	29.4%
Northern Illinois Universityniu	Public	$49,858	$77,182	54.8%
University of Alabamaalabama, bama	Public	$49,750	$69,440	39.6%
University of Nebraskanebraska	Public	$49,706	$62,985	26.7%
University of Kentuckykentucky, uk	Public	$49,059	$76,746	56.4%
University of Kansaskansas, ku	Public	$45,662	$74,890	64%
Florida State Universityfsu	Public	$44,442	$80,375	80.9%
Indiana University - Indianapolisindiana-indy, IU	Public	-	$96,651	-
Florida International Universityfiu	Public	-	$89,815	-
University of California - Irvineirvine, uci	Public	-	$102,891	-
California Western School of Lawcalwestern	Private	$145,621	$151,197	3.8%
Thomas Jefferson School of Lawthomasjefferson, tjsl	Private	$137,352	$172,445	25.5%
Southwestern Law Schoolsouthwestern	Private	$136,569	-	-
American Universityamerican, washington college of law	Private	$136,121	$159,316	17%
Loyola University New Orleansloyola-neworleans	Private	$136,050	$117,892	-13.3%
Catholic University of Americacatholic, columbus	Private	$134,133	$144,737	7.9%
Golden Gate Universitygoldengate	Private	$132,895	$146,288	10.1%
Northwestern Universitynorthwestern, nu, nw	Private	$132,685	$163,065	22.9%
Loyola Marymount Universityloyola-la	Private	$132,267	$147,701	11.7%
University of the Pacificpacific, mcgeorge	Private	$128,495	$140,517	9.4%
University of Chicagochicago, uchi	Private	$127,997	$144,695	13%
Vermont Law Schoolvermont	Private	$127,914	$156,713	22.5%
Columbia Universitycolumbia, cls	Private	$126,945	$154,076	21.4%
Cornell Universitycornell	Private	$126,000	$135,000	7.1%
Touro Collegetouro, fuchsberg	Private	$125,481	$154,855	23.4%
New York Universitynyu	Private	$125,169	$147,744	18%
Pepperdine Universitypepperdine	Private	$125,114	$145,525	16.3%
University of San Franciscosanfrancisco, usf	Private	$124,982	$154,321	23.5%
Albany Law Schoolalbany, union	Private	$124,271	$130,184	4.8%
Roger Williams Universityrogerwilliams, rwu	Private	$123,338	$128,543	4.2%
Villanova Universityvillanova	Private	$122,410	$95,297	-22.1%
Georgetown Universitygulc, gtown	Private	$122,319	$150,529	23.1%
Tulane Universitytulane	Private	$122,197	$140,965	15.4%
Stetson Universitystetson	Private	$122,189	$148,394	21.4%
Campbell Universitycampbell	Private	$121,648	$90,065	-26%
DePaul Universitydepaul	Private	$121,324	$125,895	3.8%
St. Louis Universityslu	Private	$120,000	$128,764	7.3%
Syracuse Universitysyracuse	Private	$119,769	$129,249	7.9%
New York Law Schoolnewyork, nyls	Private	$119,437	$166,622	39.5%
University of San Diegosandiego, usd	Private	$119,331	$128,477	7.7%
St. Thomas University - Floridastu	Private	$119,271	$140,808	18.1%
Barry Universitybarry	Private	$119,250	$149,175	25.1%
Fordham Universityfordham	Private	$119,120	$140,577	18%
Cardozo-Yeshiva Universitycardozo	Private	$118,939	$121,644	2.3%
University of Southern Californiausc, gould	Private	$117,573	$137,163	16.7%
Nova Southeastern Universitynova, broad	Private	$117,223	$136,450	16.4%
University of Detroit Mercydetroit-mercy	Private	$117,089	$132,245	12.9%
Regent Universityregent	Private	$115,734	$125,158	8.1%
Hofstra Universityhofstra, deane	Private	$115,705	$143,646	24.1%
Chapman Universitychapman	Private	$115,064	$148,429	29%
Vanderbilt Universityvanderbilt, vandy	Private	$114,720	$122,327	6.6%
Oklahoma City Universityocu	Private	$114,090	$121,476	6.5%
Creighton Universitycreighton	Private	$114,030	$126,586	11%
Duke Universityduke, dook	Private	$113,911	$125,406	10.1%
University of Denverdenver, du, sturm	Private	$113,688	$132,083	16.2%
Valparaiso Universityvalparaiso, valpo	Private	$113,643	$132,010	16.2%
Northeastern Universitynortheastern	Private	$113,081	$134,918	19.3%
Suffolk Universitysuffolk	Private	$112,939	$120,993	7.1%
Seton Hall Universitysetonhall	Private	$112,772	$128,100	13.6%
St. John's Universitystjohns	Private	$112,365	$111,959	-0.4%
Howard Universityhoward	Private	$112,004	$124,021	10.7%
Widener University - Pennsylvaniawidener, harrisburg	Private	$111,909	$139,229	24.4%
Widener University - Delawarewidener, wilmington	Private	$111,909	$139,229	24.4%
Marquette Universitymarquette	Private	$110,147	$134,533	22.1%
George Washington Universitygw	Private	$110,000	$141,346	28.5%
Washington University in St Louiswashu, wustl	Private	$108,603	$111,345	2.5%
New England School of Lawnewengland	Private	$108,326	-	-
Samford Universitysamford, cumberland	Private	$107,850	$124,106	15.1%
Santa Clara Universitysantaclara, scu	Private	$106,869	$136,990	28.2%
Southern Methodist Universitysmu, dedman	Private	$106,512	$124,617	17%
Washington and Lee Universitywl	Private	$105,970	$109,422	3.3%
Lewis and Clark Collegelewisandclark, northwestern	Private	$105,928	$127,064	20%
Western Michigan University - Cooley Law Schoolcooley, wmu	Private	$105,798	-	-
Mercer Universitymercer, george	Private	$105,585	$125,301	18.7%
University of Pennsylvaniapenn, upenn	Private	$105,297	$130,002	23.5%
South Texas College of Law Houstonsouthtexas	Private	$104,862	$113,748	8.5%
Whittier Law Schoolwhittier	Private	$104,731	$151,602	44.8%
Stanford Universitystanford, sls	Private	$104,424	$128,137	22.7%
Boston Universitybu	Private	$103,980	$107,850	3.7%
Boston Collegebc	Private	$103,765	$97,006	-6.5%
Capital Universitycapital	Private	$103,426	$113,434	9.7%
Elon Law Schoolelon	Private	$103,059	$132,444	28.5%
Mississippi Collegemississippicollege	Private	$102,884	$130,700	27%
Seattle Universityseattle	Private	$102,350	$131,414	28.4%
University of La Vernelaverne	Private	$101,237	-	-
University of Tulsatulsa	Private	$100,795	$99,305	-1.5%
Baylor Universitybaylor	Private	$100,661	$116,666	15.9%
Gonzaga Universitygonzaga	Private	$100,092	$121,281	21.2%
Emory Universityemory	Private	$99,236	$108,690	9.5%
University of Miamimiami, um, the u	Private	$98,986	$143,845	45.3%
Yale Universityyale, yls	Private	$98,796	$117,093	18.5%
Brooklyn Law Schoolbrooklyn	Private	$97,631	$114,953	17.7%
Pace Universitypace	Private	$97,586	$122,180	25.2%
University of St. Thomas - Minneapolisstthomas	Private	$97,238	$100,401	3.3%
St. Mary's Universitystmarys	Private	$97,105	$116,782	20.3%
Drexel Universitydrexel	Private	$96,780	$91,915	-5%
Western New England University School of Lawwesternnewengland	Private	$96,565	$130,124	34.8%
Ohio Northern Universityonu, pettit	Private	$96,371	$107,764	11.8%
Quinnipiac Universityquinnipiac	Private	$96,256	$119,956	24.6%
Loyola University Chicagoloyola-chicago	Private	$95,201	$134,968	41.8%
Hamline Universityhamline	Private	$95,174	$113,173	18.9%
University of Richmondrichmond, williams	Private	$94,200	$110,380	17.2%
Case Western Reserve Universitycasewestern, cwru	Private	$94,150	$131,724	39.9%
Wake Forest Universitywake, wf	Private	$93,223	$107,532	15.3%
University of Notre Damenotredame, nd	Private	$92,310	$111,310	20.6%
William Mitchell College of Lawwilliammitchell	Private	$92,277	$110,738	20%
Drake Universitydrake	Private	$91,576	$108,857	18.9%
Willamette Universitywillamette, collins	Private	$91,347	$136,099	49%
Duquesne Universityduquesne	Private	$88,908	$107,496	20.9%
Ave Maria School of Lawavemaria	Private	$87,337	$132,236	51.4%
Chicago-Kent College of Lawkent, illinois institute of technology	Private	$84,710	$119,884	41.5%
University of Daytondayton	Private	$67,856	$113,486	67.2%
Liberty Universityliberty	Private	$62,032	$69,475	12%
Brigham Young Universitybyu, clark	Private	$52,315	$54,203	3.6%
Faulkner Universityfaulkner, jones	Private	$50,500	-	-
Appalachian School of Lawappalachian	Private	-	-	-
Harvard Universityharvard, hls	Private	-	$137,599	-
Charleston School of Lawcharleston, csol	For Profit	$128,571	$147,031	14.4%
John Marshall Law School - Atlantajohnmarshal-atl,jmls	For Profit	$123,025	-	-
Florida Coastal School of Lawfloridacoastal, infilaw	For Profit	$120,410	$162,785	35.2%
Charlotte School of Lawcharlotte, infilaw, csol	For Profit	$113,793	$140,528	23.5%
Western State Universitywesternstate, argosy	For Profit	$98,791	$120,350	21.8%
Arizona Summit Law Schoolarizonasummit, phoenix, infilaw	For Profit	-	-	-