Class of 2022 law graduates carried an average debt load of $81,876 three years after graduation, according to a new study, “Law School Alumni Employment and Satisfaction,” from the National Association for Law Placement and The NALP Foundation.
Although that figure marked the third consecutive annual decline, respondents reported that debt continued to affect their job choices, major life decisions, personal lives, mental health and well-being.
Graduates change jobs frequently
The study found that 63% of Class of 2022 alumni had already held at least two positions.
At the same time, only 11% said they were actively looking for another job. That was the lowest percentage recorded in the study and a decline from 13% among graduates from the Classes of 2019 through 2021. Historically, the percentage of alumni actively seeking new employment has ranged from 17% to 24%.
Nikia Gray, executive director of NALP, said the findings demonstrate why lawyers increasingly need the ability to move between jurisdictions.
“The continued high mobility of recent graduates is one of the report’s most significant findings,” Gray said. “Early-career lawyers are changing jobs at unprecedented rates, making the ability to practice in different jurisdictions an increasingly important component of long-term career success.”
Gray said as the legal profession continues to examine accreditation and licensure, these findings underscore the importance of maintaining a national accreditation system that supports reciprocity and enables lawyers to pursue opportunities wherever their careers take them.
Pay varies widely by firm size
The study found substantial differences in compensation based on law firm size.
Among graduates working at the largest firms, 82% reported annual compensation of more than $200,000. That compared with 59% of graduates at midsize firms with 251 to 500 lawyers and 12% of graduates working at the smallest firms.
The financial divide is particularly significant because graduates reported that the effects of student debt increased measurably as their debt loads grew.
The Class of 2022’s average debt of $81,876 was down from $88,669 for the Class of 2021 and $95,286 for the Class of 2020.
AI becomes part of legal work
This year’s study included new questions about graduates’ preparation for and use of artificial intelligence.
Respondents who used AI tools frequently or occasionally accounted for 48% of the alumni surveyed. They used the tools either as an essential part of their daily work or for specific assignments and projects. Another 30% said they rarely used AI tools despite having access to them. AI tools were never used in their current roles by 22% of respondents.
The study also examined when and why students’ career aspirations changed during law school, professional identity formation, student debt and loan forgiveness, post-graduate recruiting timelines and engagement preferences.
Most graduates work remotely at least part time
The percentage of employed graduates working entirely in the office increased to 42% from 35% among the Class of 2021.
Remote or hybrid schedules were reported by 58% of graduates. The percentage working hybrid schedules declined to 50% from 57% among prior classes. Hybrid work became more common as firm size increased.
Graduates reported high overall job satisfaction across fully remote, hybrid and fully in-office work arrangements.
The study examined the employment, compensation and mobility of 1,302 Class of 2022 alumni from 26 U.S. law schools. Data was collected between November 2025 and January 2026. All Council-accredited law schools were invited to participate.