How many years does it take to become a lawyer?

Becoming an attorney in the United States requires a bachelor's degree, taking 4 years, and a law degree, requiring an additional 3 years of education, for a total of 7 years of post-secondary education. Additionally, most states require graduates to take a bar exam, requiring several additional months of study.

The time to complete the degrees required to become an attorney vary from student to student, and the times shown are for full-time students. Some law schools offer part-time programs, which increase the length of time required to complete the degree. The average age of graduating law students is 26 to 27 years.