Student Loan Forgiveness for Lawyers

Practicing law can be a fulfilling and lucrative career, but the price of a J.D. keeps rising. In 2024, the average law school graduate had $130,000 in student loan debt. That’s more than twice as much as a starting public defender earns in a year.

Outside of the public sector, lawyers tend to earn more ($120,000 on average). But with a six-figure debt hanging over your head, that six-figure income may not feel like it goes far enough.

Thankfully, practicing lawyers may qualify for a variety of student loan forgiveness plans. Here are the four major loan forgiveness programs for lawyers, and some considerations if you don’t qualify for the plans.