@makesmesmart: It is not necessary to attend a Top 14 law school in order to justify one’s decision to pursue a career in law.
Most who are accepted to a T-14 law school have the numbers required to qualify for a full tuition & fees scholarship at a lower ranked law school.
Of course, even with a full tuition scholarship, law school is costly as one must still pay for room & board & books in addition to sacrificing 3 years of income.