WHY SO FEW? UNDERSTANDING NORTH DAKOTA’ S LIMITED NUMBER OF LAW SCHOOL APPLICANTS
WHY SO FEW? UNDERSTANDING NORTH DAKOTA’ S LIMITED NUMBER OF LAW SCHOOL APPLICANTS
BRADLEY MYERS Interim Dean, University of North Dakota School of Law
Across North Dakota, courtrooms, law offices, and government offices rely on a steady flow of new lawyers to have enough people for the important legal work that must be done. What happens when a state’ s next generation of lawyers does not keep pace with the need? Each year, only about 100 North Dakotans apply to law school – nationwide. That number has remained stubbornly low, even as the number of applicants nationwide grew 18 % a year ago and with the expectation of even more applicants this year.
For a state that depends so heavily on a steady supply of lawyers – to fill positions in cities and counties, prosecute and defend cases, advise farmers and families, support local businesses, and sustain civic life – this figure is cause for concern. The number itself is not simply a statistic; it’ s a signal something deeper is happening in how young people, and even midcareer adults, think about the law as a profession.
What’ s behind this trend? And what can we, as educators, practitioners, and citizens, do to change it?
The Shrinking Pipeline of College Graduates?
A natural place to look is demographics. Stories about the“ demographic cliff of 2026” and how it will impact higher education can be found across the internet. This cliff is not much of a factor in North Dakota, at least not yet. Although the rest of the country saw a significant drop in births tied to the 2008 recession, North Dakota is one of a few states that bucked that trend. The number of students turning 18 this year actually increased, and we aren’ t expected to reach our peak number of high school graduates until about 2034.
Still, the cliff affects us indirectly. As other states face enrollment declines, their colleges are recruiting aggressively in North Dakota. That competition for our high school graduates will only grow, and our challenge will be keeping talented young people here for both college and law school. Doing so will require new incentives, partnerships, and messages that highlight the real advantages of studying – and staying – in North Dakota.
The Cost of Legal Education – and the Fear of Debt
For many prospective students, the decision to attend law school isn’ t just about interest – it’ s about economics. Concerns about student debt weigh heavily on potential applicants, especially those from rural or working-class backgrounds.
Even though UND Law remains among the most affordable law schools in the country, perceptions about cost and return on investment still deter many from considering the profession. A Wall Street Journal headline from 2021 stated that“ Law School Loses Luster as Debts Mount and Salaries Stagnate.” The idea that“ law school is too expensive” persists and can overwhelm the strong evidence that a law degree will lead to steady employment and rewarding careers in law, government, and business.
Students today make highly pragmatic choices. They want clear, predictable pathways to stable employment, and they are acutely aware of debt burdens. If we want to encourage more North Dakotans to study law, we need to communicate the true value of a legal education— not just as a career path, but as a foundation for leadership, problem-solving, and civic service.
At the University of North Dakota( UND) School of Law, we’ ve worked hard with generous donors to keep tuition affordable and expand scholarship support, but more can be done. The broader legal community plays an essential role in making law school both financially and professionally attainable.
The Rural Practice Gap
Another factor is geography. Much of North Dakota’ s population lives far from the urban or professional hubs where lawyers tend to work. For many young
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