August 14, 2025
New national study reveals Catholic legal education’s impact extends far beyond graduation
A groundbreaking new study challenges the conventional thinking around legal education and reveals how Catholic law schools are forming attorneys who lead with service, ethics and long-term professional engagement.
Commissioned by the St. Mary’s University School of Law and conducted by YouGov, the study provides the first national data showing that Catholic legal education strengthens professional outcomes while also shaping personal values, ethical reasoning and civic leadership.
“There’s a growing push to reduce legal education to bar passage and earning potential,” said Jason King, Ph.D., Beirne Director of the Center for Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s University. “But law schools have the opportunity to offer much more. Catholic law schools help students understand who they are called to be in the legal profession. This study shows that ethical formation does not dilute success. It deepens it.”
Key findings include:
- 14% more Catholic law grads are currently practicing law
- 10% more cite upholding the Rule of Law as a key reason for entering the profession
- 26% higher participation in local elections
- Four times more likely to have held elected community roles
- 84% say their law school encouraged ethical discussions (vs. 76%)
- 12% more say their law school helped them find life’s purpose
- Catholic grads are significantly more likely to have served on bar committees, tutored youth and coached youth sports
The study underscores how Catholic law schools shape not just legal expertise but also enduring moral frameworks and community commitment. Graduates are more likely to align their careers with personal values and contribute to civic and professional life through service and leadership.
“These findings affirm what we’ve long believed,” said Patricia Roberts, J.D., St. Mary’s Law Dean and Charles Cantú Distinguished Professor of Law. “A Catholic legal education equips graduates not only to succeed in their profession, but to serve the public, uphold justice and lead lives of impact.”
“A Catholic legal education equips graduates not only to succeed in their profession, but to serve the public, uphold justice and lead lives of impact.”
— Patricia Roberts, J.D.
This is the first national study focused on law school graduates, building on a groundbreaking 2024 report by St. Mary’s that surveyed undergraduate and general alumni. A second iteration of that broader study is scheduled for later in 2025.
The study was conducted by YouGov, using a national sample of 1,000 law school graduates across Catholic and secular institutions. Participants responded to questions on motivation, career trajectory, values alignment, civic participation and ethical formation.