LSSSE Insights Blog

In 2006, there were only marginal racial and ethnic differences in expectations of more than $100,000 in debt. In 2015, however, intense disparities were observed, with 61% of black respondents and 56% of Latino respondents expecting debt at this level, compared to about 40% of white and Asian respondents.

In 2006, 38% of private school respondents expected to owe more than $100,000; in 2011 and 2015, that proportion exceeded 50%. While high-debt expectations were lower among respondents attending public law schools, the increases over the survey years were more dramatic.

In 2006, 32% of respondents expected to incur more than $100,000 in debt during their law school matriculation. By 2011, that proportion had increased to 44%, a level at which it remained in 2015. The differences in expected debt were particularly acute at the highest level—more than $120,000. Roughly 30% of respondents in both 2011 and 2015 expected debt above $120,000, compared to 16% in 2006.