AccessLex Institute Unveils Latest Insights in Legal Education Data Deck for 2025

Recently, AccessLex Institute® made a significant contribution to the field of legal education by publishing its latest version of the Legal Education Data Deck. This comprehensive deck sheds light on pressing issues related to law school admissions, characteristics of applicants, degrees conferred, and scholarship trends that highlight accessibility and affordability in legal education.

According to the newly released data, in 2024, a striking 79% of White law school applicants secured at least one admission offer, a stark contrast to only 45% of Black applicants and 68% of women applicants, compared to 72% of their male counterparts. This disparity raises critical questions about equality in access to legal education, especially as it pertains to gender and race.

Moreover, the statistics reveal a troubling trend: Black and Hispanic students are withdrawing from law schools at disproportionately higher rates compared to their White counterparts. In the entering class of 2023-24, Black and Hispanic students made up only 22% of first-year enrollments and accounted for a staggering 33% of non-transfer attrition following their first year. Conversely, White students comprised 58% of that entering class but only 47% of those who did not transition to the second year. These figures underscore the urgent need for institutions to address the barriers that drive these students away from legal education.

Financial aid distribution also raises concerns, as Black and Hispanic/Latine law students receive financial aid packages with a significantly lower proportion of institutional grants compared to their White and Asian peers. Institutional grants account for just 11% of the average financial aid awarded to Black students, 16% for Hispanic/Latine students, whereas White students receive a much more substantial 36% of their aid from institutional grants. This disparity further complicates efforts to level the playing field in terms of accessibility to legal education, making it imperative for stakeholders to strategize on improving grant distributions.

Interestingly, the study also highlights the ongoing decline of conditional scholarships, which are intended to increase access to law schools but can be revoked based on a student’s academic performance. In 2023, only 19% of incoming students were awarded such scholarships—a figure that marks the lowest percentage since 2011. This trend raises questions about the future of support mechanisms that aid students in navigating the challenging terrain of law school.

Tiffane Cochran, Vice President of Research at AccessLex Institute, emphasized the dual purpose of the Data Deck: to inform the public about critical trends in legal education while also providing compelling evidence for the Institute’s continuous endeavors to enhance accessibility, affordability, and value in legal education. She expressed, "The latest updates to the publication underscore the need for continued effort in these areas while strengthening our resolve to address them." The implications of this information are profound, inviting stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions and actions that could positively influence the future landscape of legal education.

Finally, the Legal Education Data Deck is derived from publicly available datasets provided by various third-party organizations. This tool not only serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding current legal education trends but also acts as a living document that AccessLex Institute updates periodically. The organization actively invites feedback and suggestions to enhance the utility of this resource for the public and legal education stakeholders alike.

In conclusion, AccessLex Institute is steadfast in its mission to empower the next generation of lawyers, having partnered with nearly 200 member law schools since 1983. The data extracted from this latest release serves as an important reflective tool on the systemic challenges present within legal education today, emphasizing the necessity of collective action to promote inclusivity and equity within the field. For further details on the updated Data Deck, interested individuals can access it through AccessLex's official platforms.