Economics on Trial

Is Economics a Good Pre-Law Major?

The Evidence

Exhibit A:  Economics majors excel on LSAT  

"Economics majors…perform at or near the top of all majors taking the [Law School Admission Test, or LSAT]. Economics majors (LSAT score of 157.4) are tied for first (with Philosophy) of the 12 largest disciplines.”
Nieswiadomy, M. (2010) “LSAT Scores of Economics Majors: The 2008-2009 Class Update” forthcoming in Journal of Economic Education.

Exhibit B:  Lawyers who majored in Economics earn more than other lawyers  

“Among individuals who pursue a master’s degree in business or a professional degree in law, those who have an undergraduate economics major generally earn more than individuals with other majors.”
Black, D.A. et al., (2003) “The Economic Reward for Studying Economics“ Economic Enquiry, 41(3): 365:377.

and

“Lawyers with undergraduate training in Economics earn more than other lawyers  , ... and economics is the only undergraduate field associated with earnings that differ significantly.”
Craft, R.K., and Baker, J.G. (2003) “Do Economists Make Better Lawyers? Undergraduate Degree Field and Lawyer Earnings” Journal of Economic Education, 34(3): 263:281.

Closing Arguments

Legal cases and legislation often utilize economics concepts and the economics way of thinking.

The Verdict

Economics is a Great Pre-Law Major!