Research shows that the relationship between student debt and career choices in government and public interest (GPI) law is not well-supported by empirical evidence. Despite the common argument that student debt hinders students from pursuing GPI careers due to lower salaries, a study conducted at the University of California Irvine (UCI) Law found no significant impact of student debt on career decisions or aspirations in the GPI sector. These findings challenge our understanding of the role of debt in legal education and suggest a need for further interventions to promote entry into the public sector.

Image courtesy of interviewee. January 12, 2024