An Economic Analysis of the Market for Law School Students

Ronald G. Ehrenberg

NBER Working Paper No. 2602
Issued in May 1988
NBER Program(s):   LS

This study utilizes data from a number of sources to estimate how lawyers' starting salaries relate to their ability, the quality of law school they attended, and whether the law school was a private institution. Based upon this analysis, a benefit-cost analysis is conducted of the value of attending a high-quality private institution. Analyses are also done of how the financial attractiveness of law vis-a- vis other careers has changed in recent years and a conceptual framework discussed for law schools to use in allocating their financial aid resources.

(331 K)

Published: Journal of Legal Education, Vol. 39, No. 5, pp. 627-654, 1989.

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