Law first professional degree programs in California
Compare 21 reporting programs using the same federal field and first professional degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in California
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1Stanford UniversityStanford · Debt not reported$259,9442University of California, BerkeleyBerkeley · Debt not reported$226,9963University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles · Debt not reported$203,0284University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles · Debt not reported$177,9685University of California, IrvineIrvine · Debt not reported$153,3076Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara · Debt not reported$148,5997Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles · Debt not reported$143,3618University of California, DavisDavis · Debt not reported$136,8149University of California College of the Law-San FranciscoSan Francisco · Debt not reported$136,00110University of San DiegoSan Diego · Debt not reported$134,065
CAREER CONTEXT IN CA
What related occupations pay in California
These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.
23-1011Lawyers
- State median wage
- $195,080
- Middle 50% wage range
- $131,120–$277,140
- State employment
- 95,770
- Projected growth
- +4.7%
- Annual openings
- 28,700
25-1112Law Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $119,540
- Middle 50% wage range
- $88,710–$169,570
- State employment
- 7,800
- Projected growth
- +2.6%
- Annual openings
- 1,800
23-1022Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
- State median wage
- $97,680
- Middle 50% wage range
- $75,170–$121,670
- State employment
- Not reported
- Projected growth
- +4.7%
- Annual openings
- 300
23-1012Judicial Law Clerks
- State median wage
- $79,030
- Middle 50% wage range
- $65,740–$82,200
- State employment
- 1,800
- Projected growth
- +2.8%
- Annual openings
- 1,500
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.
ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS
Compare every available outcome
Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.
| # | College | City | Median year-4 earnings | Median federal debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University | Stanford | $259,944 | Not available |
| 2 | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley | $226,996 | Not available |
| 3 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles | $203,028 | Not available |
| 4 | University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles | $177,968 | Not available |
| 5 | University of California, Irvine | Irvine | $153,307 | Not available |
| 6 | Santa Clara University | Santa Clara | $148,599 | Not available |
| 7 | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles | $143,361 | Not available |
| 8 | University of California, Davis | Davis | $136,814 | Not available |
| 9 | University of California College of the Law-San Francisco | San Francisco | $136,001 | Not available |
| 10 | University of San Diego | San Diego | $134,065 | Not available |
| 11 | Chapman University | Orange | $119,002 | Not available |
| 12 | University of the Pacific | Stockton | $114,281 | Not available |
| 13 | Southwestern Law School | Los Angeles | $108,350 | Not available |
| 14 | California Western School of Law | San Diego | $100,889 | Not available |
| 15 | Golden Gate University | San Francisco | $96,079 | Not available |
| 16 | San Joaquin College of Law | Clovis | $93,023 | Not available |
| 17 | Thomas Jefferson School of Law | San Diego | $87,982 | Not available |
| 18 | Whittier College | Whittier | $81,959 | Not available |
| 19 | The Colleges of Law at Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara | $78,136 | Not available |
| 20 | The Colleges of Law at Ventura | Ventura | $78,136 | Not available |
| 21 | Trinity Law School | Santa Ana | $69,932 | Not available |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Law in California
What do Law first professional degree graduates earn in California?
Across 21 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $119,002 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The current federal release does not contain enough reportable debt figures for this comparison.
Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Stanford University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.