From “Which law schools have the best and worst debt-to-income ratios among recent law school graduates? 2023 update” by D.T. Muller (May 2, 2023).
The University of Alabama School of Law ranked fourth in debt-to-income ratio among public law schools, and eighth overall, according to data compiled by the United States Department of Education. Information was collected from 185 American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law schools across the U.S. regarding average earnings and average debt among recent graduates.
The rankings were published by Derek T. Muller, Professor at the University of Iowa College of Law. The rankings were calculated from the information on the average amount of debt a student incurs during law school compared to their earnings upon graduation to get a ratio – the lower the ratio, the higher the ranking.
Practically, this means that the percentage of debt incurred by graduates of Alabama Law compared to their income is, on average, lower than that of graduates from most other law schools. This can have a profound effect on future finances, quality of life, and career options.
“A low debt load certainly matters to our students,” Assistant Dean of Students Anita Kay Head said. “Entering the workforce with less debt means that graduates are freer to take jobs that align with their passions and goals.”
To that end, Alabama Law’s prioritization of the development of a diverse offering of Law Clinics and commitment to each student’s opportunity to participate in at least one clinic during their tenure, as well as the efforts of the Public Interest Institute and Career Services Office, has cultivated a culture that celebrates a student’s decision to pursue the career they are most interested in. This becomes more possible when students know that they will graduate with a manageable debt load.
Throughout its history, Alabama Law has been committed to ensuring students graduate with the least amount of debt possible, as reflected in Muller’s rankings. “I’m proud that our law school prioritizes a low debt load for our students,” Dean Head continued. “As a public law school, we are fulfilling our mission when we make high-quality legal education affordable.”
To learn more about Muller’s debt-to-income rankings and his calculation process, visit: https://excessofdemocracy.com/blog/2023/5/which-law-schools-have-the-best-and-worst-debt-to-income-ratios-among-recent-law-school-graduates-2023-update.
About Alabama Law
For more than 150 years, the University of Alabama School of Law has produced attorneys who become leaders locally, nationally, and globally. Alabama Law provides a top-rate education that produces enviable bar passage and employment rates, all within a supportive and diverse environment. Our low student-to-faculty ratio, paired with robust curricular offerings, draws students to study under faculty who are skilled teachers as well as leading scholars.
