1. Overview: Is Becoming a Lawyer Right for You?
Becoming a lawyer is a significant commitment - typically 7-8 years of education after high school, costing $150,000-$250,000, and requiring you to pass one of the most challenging professional exams in the country.
But for those who make it, the rewards can be substantial: median salaries of $127,000 (with top earners making $200,000+), intellectually stimulating work, and the opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives.
Quick Facts About Becoming a Lawyer
Total Time Required
7-8 years after high school
Total Cost
$150,000 - $250,000
Median Salary
$127,990 (2024 BLS)
Bar Exam Pass Rate
58% (first-time, national avg)
This guide will walk you through every step of the process, with honest information about costs, timelines, and what to expect along the way.
2. Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree (4 Years)
The first step to becoming a lawyer is completing a four-year undergraduate degree. Contrary to popular belief, there is no required "pre-law" major. Law schools accept students from all academic backgrounds.
Best Majors for Law School
While any major can lead to law school, some are particularly well-suited for developing skills that help in legal studies:
| Major | Why It's Valuable |
|---|---|
| Political Science | Understanding of government, legislation, and policy |
| English | Strong reading, writing, and analytical skills |
| Philosophy | Logic, ethics, and argumentation |
| History | Research skills and understanding precedent |
| Economics | Quantitative analysis, useful for corporate law |
GPA Requirements
Your undergraduate GPA is one of the most important factors in law school admissions:
- Top 14 (T14) schools: 3.7+ GPA typically required
- Top 50 schools: 3.5+ GPA competitive
- Most ABA schools: 3.0+ GPA minimum
Pro Tip
Focus on maintaining a high GPA rather than choosing an "impressive" major. A 3.9 in English is more valuable to law schools than a 3.3 in Philosophy.
3. Step 2: Take the LSAT (3-6 Months Prep)
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardized test required by virtually all ABA-accredited law schools. It's scored on a scale of 120-180, with 150 being the median.
LSAT Score Targets
| School Tier | Target Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| T14 (Top 14) | 170+ | 97th+ |
| T50 | 160+ | 80th+ |
| T100 | 155+ | 63rd+ |
| Most ABA Schools | 150+ | 44th+ |
LSAT Prep Resources
Most successful test-takers spend 3-6 months preparing. Options include:
- Self-study: $100-500 (books, practice tests)
- Online courses: $500-1,500 (7Sage, LSAT Demon, Blueprint)
- In-person courses: $1,000-2,000 (Kaplan, Princeton Review)
- Private tutoring: $150-400/hour
4. Step 3: Complete Law School (3 Years)
Law school is a three-year graduate program leading to a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. There are over 200 ABA-accredited law schools in the United States.
What You'll Study
First Year (1L): Required foundational courses
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law
- Property
- Torts
- Legal Research & Writing
Second & Third Year (2L, 3L): Electives in your chosen practice areas, clinics, externships, and moot court or law review opportunities.
Law School Costs (2025-2026)
| School Type | Annual Tuition | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|
| Private (Top 14) | $65,000-$75,000 | $195,000-$225,000 |
| Private (Other) | $45,000-$60,000 | $135,000-$180,000 |
| Public (In-State) | $25,000-$45,000 | $75,000-$135,000 |
| Public (Out-of-State) | $40,000-$55,000 | $120,000-$165,000 |
5. Step 4: Pass the Bar Exam
After graduating law school, you must pass the bar exam in the state where you want to practice. The bar exam is typically a 2-day test covering both multistate and state-specific law.
Bar Exam Components
- Multistate Bar Exam (MBE): 200 multiple-choice questions on 7 subjects
- Multistate Essay Exam (MEE): 6 essay questions
- Multistate Performance Test (MPT): 2 practical exercises
- State-specific component: Varies by state
Pass Rates by State
Hardest States
- California: 33% pass rate
- Louisiana: 44% pass rate
- Nevada: 48% pass rate
More Accessible States
- Missouri: 87% pass rate
- Kansas: 85% pass rate
- Utah: 83% pass rate
6. Legal Career Paths
Once you pass the bar, you have many career options. Here are the most common paths:
Big Law (Large Law Firms)
Work at firms with 100+ attorneys, typically in major cities. High salaries but demanding hours (2,000+ billable hours/year).
Starting Salary: $215,000+ (Cravath scale)
Mid-Size & Small Firms
More client contact, varied work, better work-life balance. Often regional or specialized practices.
Starting Salary: $70,000-$120,000
Government
Prosecutors, public defenders, agency counsel. Job security, loan forgiveness programs, public service.
Starting Salary: $55,000-$85,000
In-House Counsel
Work directly for a corporation's legal department. Better hours, business exposure.
Starting Salary: $100,000-$150,000
Solo Practice
Be your own boss. Flexibility but requires business development skills.
Income: Highly variable ($40,000-$200,000+)
7. Complete Cost Breakdown
| Expense | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Degree | $40,000 - $200,000 |
| LSAT Prep | $100 - $3,000 |
| LSAT Registration | $200 - $400 |
| Law School Applications | $500 - $2,000 |
| Law School Tuition (3 years) | $75,000 - $225,000 |
| Living Expenses (3 years) | $45,000 - $90,000 |
| Bar Prep Course | $2,000 - $5,000 |
| Bar Exam Registration | $500 - $1,500 |
| TOTAL INVESTMENT | $165,000 - $530,000 |
8. Lawyer Salary Expectations
Lawyer salaries vary dramatically based on employer type, location, and experience level.
| Experience Level | Big Law | Mid-Size | Government |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | $215,000 | $80,000 | $60,000 |
| 5 Years | $345,000 | $120,000 | $85,000 |
| 10 Years | $500,000+ | $175,000 | $110,000 |
| Partner/Senior | $1M+ | $250,000+ | $150,000+ |
Note: Salaries vary significantly by geographic location. NYC, San Francisco, and DC pay higher; smaller markets pay less.
9. Timeline Summary
Bachelor's Degree
Undergraduate education in any major
LSAT Prep & Test
Study, take test, apply to law schools
Law School (JD)
ABA-accredited Juris Doctor program
Bar Prep & Exam
Study and pass your state's bar
Licensed Attorney
Begin your legal career!
Total: 7-8 Years from High School Graduation
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Is law school worth it in 2026?
It depends on your goals and situation. Law school makes financial sense if you: (1) get into a top school, (2) secure scholarship funding, (3) have a clear career goal, or (4) can handle the debt with your expected salary. The median debt is $130,000, so you need realistic expectations about post-graduation income.
Can I become a lawyer without law school?
In most states, no. However, California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington allow you to become a lawyer through apprenticeship (called "reading the law"). This path is extremely rare and difficult - fewer than 1% of lawyers take this route.
What's the hardest part of becoming a lawyer?
Most lawyers say the bar exam is the most challenging single hurdle. Law school is demanding but manageable; the bar is a high-stakes test with significant failure rates (especially in California, Louisiana, and Nevada).
How competitive is law school admission?
It varies dramatically by school. Top 14 schools accept 10-20% of applicants. Many regional schools accept 50%+ of applicants. Your LSAT score and GPA are the two biggest factors.
Should I go straight from undergrad to law school?
There's no right answer. Going straight means you finish earlier, but working first gives you maturity, savings, and clarity about whether law is right for you. Most law students are 23-30 years old.
What practice areas pay the most?
The highest-paying areas include: M&A/Corporate (Big Law), Patent/IP (especially with technical background), Securities/Finance, Healthcare Law, and Tax Law. However, "Big Law" firm jobs pay the same regardless of practice area.