As the global demand for legal services and the number of professionals in the legal industry increases, the financial rewards that come with a career in law are becoming more lucrative. This makes getting into law school more challenging than ever, and prospective law students are looking for the best majors for pre-law to gain an advantage when applying to their dream schools.
What are the best majors for pre-law? While there are more than a few, the best college majors for pre-law typically prepare students to think analytically and build other professional skills. This article discusses how to choose a major for pre-law and includes tips for getting into law school. It also features some of the best careers in law as well as their salaries and job outlooks.
What Major Is the Best for Pre-Law?
History is the best major for pre-law as it provides students with a foundation in historical precedents for how societies form laws. A history degree provides an understanding of how legal systems work across different cultures and how laws have an impact on individuals and society. History degree programs include various aspects of philosophy, sociology, mathematics, and political science, all of which are essential subjects in law.
How to Choose a Major for Pre-Law
- Consider your career goals. Determining what type of legal career you want is essential when choosing a pre-law major. For example, an undergraduate major in accounting or finance can be an advantage if you plan to work as a tax attorney or finance lawyer.
- Identify your academic strengths. Your natural academic strengths can point you in the direction of what type of law career you’d like to pursue, which can help you select your major. Alternatively, you might want to focus on building your weaker skills so that you have a wider base of knowledge and abilities.
- Decide what you value the most about a degree program. In addition to various pre-law degrees, university programs offer other ways of preparing students for law school. Examples include a department’s faculty strength, networking groups, and internship opportunities.
- Evaluate the financial costs. Attending college isn’t cheap, and the cost of attendance can vary widely by major, even within one university. Be sure to evaluate the full financial cost of any majors you’re considering.
- Consider the earning potential of the degree. While it makes sense to consider your passions and interests, your earning potential with any degree is arguably more important. Thus, you should consider the financial rewards of a career before choosing your major.
What Are the Best Majors for Pre-Law?
- Economics | Average Salary: $79,000
- Business Administration | Average Salary: $75,000
- Philosophy | Average Salary: $74,000
- Political Science | Average Salary: $72,000
- History | Average Salary: $70,000
- Psychology | Average Salary: $66,000
- Sociology | Average Salary: $65,000
- Communications | Average Salary: $65,000
- English | Average Salary: $64,000
- Criminal Justice | Average Salary: $60,000
Best College Majors for Pre-Law: Explained
Economics | Average Salary: $79,000
An economics major at the bachelor’s degree level provides students with a solid foundation in economic policy, taxation, and financial investment. You’ll also learn qualitative reasoning and statistical analysis models. Consequently, you can work in a broad range of finance and legal roles after obtaining a Juris Doctor degree from law school.
Business Administration | Average Salary: $75,000
Business administration is one of the most attractive corporate business majors you can enroll in at college. Future law students who choose this track learn critical skills in business management, corporate structures, and more. Additionally, you can opt into specializations at all postgraduate levels.
Philosophy | Average Salary: $74,000
Philosophy is not one of the common majors for pre-law students, but it can give you an edge in law school. For one, you will sharpen your analytical skills and logical thinking, and learning about the philosophical origins of law is beneficial.
Political Science | Average Salary: $72,000
A political science major is a valuable liberal arts degree if you want to attend law school after college. Unsurprisingly, it is one of the most popular majors for law school students as it provides a strong foundation in several essential legal skills. For example, you will develop excellent public speaking skills, which will help you become a competitive law school applicant.
History | Average Salary: $70,000
An undergraduate degree in history provides you with extensive knowledge of legal precedents and law origins. Consequently, it prepares you for success in law school by improving your grasp of the social sciences. History students also take technology, architecture, philosophy, and political science courses, making them well-rounded scholars.
Psychology | Average Salary: $66,000
Psychology is vital in legal practice. If you want to succeed as an attorney, litigator, or judge, your grasp of human behavior and its psychology is invaluable. Enrolling in a psychology major allows you to build strong interpersonal and communication skills and better understand how laws affect individuals and society.
Sociology | Average Salary: $65,000
Sociology deals with group dynamics and interactions, human behavior, and governance systems. It is an ideal undergraduate program for any prospective law student, although those in graduate school will find it very useful as well. Knowledge gained in anthropology, political systems, human nature, and philosophy can help you stand out during the law school application process.
Communications | Average Salary: $65,000
As a communications major, you have a significant advantage over your contemporaries when applying to law school. A communications degree equips you with the strong reading, public speaking, and writing skills necessary to succeed in law school. Additionally, you’ll learn conflict resolution and negotiation skills, which are valuable in any legal professional’s repertoire.
English | Average Salary: $64,000
An English major provides law school candidates with the verbal and written language skills to handle legal correspondence. It also prepares them to take case briefs, draft agreements, and compile reports. Consequently, you’ll learn to process information and make logical connections, which require excellent critical thinking skills.
Criminal Justice | Average Salary: $60,000
Criminal justice is an excellent undergraduate degree option for pre-law students as it examines how the legal system works. The curricula for criminal justice programs typically include classes on criminal profiling, forensics, constitutional law, and evidence. These provide insights into prisons, courts, and police work, giving you an advantage over pre-law students in other majors.
What Are the Best Careers in Law?
With a law degree, you can work as a judge, tax attorney, litigation specialist, or law school professor. Of course, the path your career takes will depend on your pre-law major, and you must graduate from law school first. Below, we discuss several exciting career options in the legal field.
Top 10 Best Careers in Law
You can decide what areas of law to specialize in after graduating from law school. Becoming a high-powered litigator is an option if you are comfortable with logical arguments and litigation. PayScale figures indicate that the average salary for litigation attorneys is $117,000. However, there are other lucrative, exciting jobs in law.
Judge
- Average Salary: $148,030
- Job Outlook: 3% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree, law school degree
A judge is the highest legal authority within the judicial system, and the role requires excellent communication skills. Working as a judge is very demanding as you will interpret the law, preside over trials, and listen to the facts of legal cases from disputing parties. You’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree, a law degree, and several years of experience working as a lawyer to assume a position on the bench.
Chief Legal Counsel
- Average Salary: $147,395
- Job Outlook: 9% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree, law school degree
Working as the chief legal counsel for an organization involves overseeing all aspects of its legal affairs. You may head the company’s legal department, providing legal risk management and regulatory compliance. Consequently, you must have strong organizational and communication skills and earn a bachelor’s and a Juris Doctor degree.
Law School Professor
- Average Salary: $ 130,820
- Job Outlook: 4.6% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree, law school degree
Getting a job as a law professor typically requires extensive legal education and years of work experience at a law firm or other relevant organization. You must also be well-versed in academic research and teaching as you will interpret the law and its philosophy to students.
Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyer
- Average Salary: $128,666
- Job Outlook: 9% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree, law school degree
Intellectual property lawyers play a huge role in securing intellectual property rights for organizations and individuals. As an IP attorney, you will act as an advisor to clients, review documents, conduct interviews, and analyze technical material. Accordingly, becoming an IP lawyer requires a bachelor’s degree, a Juris Doctor degree, and a license to practice.
Litigator
- Average Salary: $116,859
- Job Outlook: 9% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree, law school degree
A litigator, sometimes referred to as a litigation attorney, is a lawyer who represents defendants and plaintiffs in legal suits. This role is very demanding as it involves managing all aspects of the litigation process, from initial discovery to trial and appeal. It is also a fast-growing field as the demand for legal representation rises. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor degree from law school to work as a litigator.
Tax Attorney
- Average Salary: $100,143
- Job Outlook: 9% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree, law school degree
Tax attorneys are essential to organizations and individuals because they help them understand and comply with tax laws. These professionals help clients handle tax matters and make sure that they take advantage of tax benefits, such as deductions and credits. Becoming a tax lawyer requires a bachelor’s degree in a pertinent field plus a law degree.
Employment and Labor Attorney
- Average Salary: $89,136
- Job Outlook: 9% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree, law school degree
The employment prospects for professionals in this role are promising, and having a solid grasp of labor laws is essential for success. Working as an employment and labor lawyer involves representing clients in labor lawsuits and advising them on their best options. To work in this role, you must have a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor degree.
Legal Advisor
- Average Salary: $80,635
- Job Outlook: 9% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree, law school degree
A legal advisor is a lawyer who provides legal counsel to corporations and individuals. This professional may work as a full-time staff member or as a consultant on a freelance basis. You’ll need strong analytical and communication skills, a bachelor’s degree, and a JD to be eligible for jobs in this space.
Law Firm Administrator
- Average Salary: $72,212
- Job Outlook: 9% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree
Law firm administrators ensure the smooth running of administrative operations at law firms. While some work as top executives and are part of the firm’s management team, others may work at junior levels and oversee other administrative staff. This role requires administrative experience and a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
Mediator
- Average Salary: $49,410
- Job Outlook: 10% growth from 2020 to 2030
- Required Education: Bachelor’s degree, MBA, law school degree (optional)
Mediators are in high demand across the US, and Bureau of Labor Statistics figures indicate that jobs in mediation and arbitration will grow by 10 percent through 2030. This is great news for professionals with bachelor’s degrees and training in conflict resolution or arbitration. The role involves assisting disputing parties in resolving legal issues outside the courts.
Is Environmental Science a Good Pre-Law Major?
Yes, it is. The environmental science field is relatively new, integrating economics, chemistry, and geoscience courses. Students with this major develop invaluable problem-solving skills and learn to view issues from different perspectives and utilize data analysis. The training and knowledge they gain prepare them to succeed in law school and build excellent legal careers.
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Best Majors for Pre-Law FAQ
Political science, psychology, and history are some of the most sought-after pre-law majors. These subjects provide students with a wealth of contextual experience and insight into various essential areas in law. Additionally, they offer a solid foundation to build a legal career.
You’ll typically need to complete a bachelor’s degree program, pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and submit a personal statement and letters of recommendation to your preferred school. However, the application process varies by school, so be sure to review the requirements closely.
No, you do not have to work as a lawyer after graduating from law school. Although you may choose not to work as a lawyer after obtaining your law degree, it is not a typical career decision. While many individuals with a law degree practice law for some time before moving on to other careers, others build a legal career and combine it with other professional pursuits.
Government organizations, private law firms, corporations, and non-profit organizations are some of the biggest employers of legal professionals. You can work in any of these areas throughout your career, although it is rare for lawyers to switch from public to private practice and vice-versa. Alternatively, you may establish a personal law practice and employ other professionals to work for you.
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