Law schools cut costs, rethink approach as enrollment falls

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana law schools are working to bring in new students and adjust their educational approaches amid a continuing decline in enrollment.

The number of first-year students at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law has fallen 10 percent this year after a 25 percent decline from 2010 to 2013. Enrollment is also down at the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law at IUPUI and at Valparaiso University Law School.

The Indianapolis Business Journal reports concerns about student debt and lower hiring rates are contributing to the decline.

IU McKinney Dean Andy Klein says his school isn’t replacing all staff and faculty when they leave and is partnering with liberal arts colleges that give scholarships to top graduates if they attend law school.