ABA reports total law school enrollment down 6.9%, 1L enrollment down 4.4%

Last week we reported news from the LSAC that law school applications are down 9.5% (applicants are down 8.5%) from this time last year.  This week the ABA's section on legal education reports more grisly news that, no surprise, overall enrollment at all accredited law schools as of fall 2014 is also down.  As noted in the headline, total enrollment among the 204 "approved" law schools dropped 6.9% from this time last year and 17.5% from the historic high water mark set in 2010 at the height of the recession.  First year enrollment, including day and evening divisions, is down 4.4% from last year.

According to the ABA's report, nearly 2/3's (127) of schools experienced a decline in 1L enrollment compared to last year and at 64 of those schools, the decline exceeded 10%.  There are 25 schools where 1L enrollment declined more than 20% from 2013.  On the flip side, 69 schools reported 1L enrollment increased from last year.   You can check out the full ABA report here.  The Wall Street Journal Law Blog also has the story here.

(jbl).