Where Did J.D. Vance Go to College? From Student to Trump's Vice President

Key takeaways

• JD Vance went to Ohio State University for his bachelor's degree, graduating in 2009
• He attended Yale Law School, one of the hardest law schools to get into, finishing in 2013
• The military paid for his undergraduate education through the GI Bill

Ever wonder how someone goes from a tough childhood in rural Ohio to becoming Vice President of the United States? JD Vance's college story played a huge role in that transformation.

His education wasn't just about getting degrees. It opened doors and connected him with people who would change his entire life. If you're thinking about college and wondering whether it really matters where you go, Vance's journey offers some interesting answers.

Where did JD Vance go for his bachelor's degree?

JD Vance graduated from Ohio State University in 2009. He studied political science and philosophy. But here's the thing: he didn't go straight to college after high school like most students do.

After graduating from Middletown High School in Ohio, Vance joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in Iraq as a combat correspondent, which is basically a military journalist. Only after completing his service did he start college.

The GI Bill (a government program for veterans) paid for most of his education at Ohio State. This meant he could get his degree without worrying about student loans. He did well in his classes and started thinking about law school.

Why did JD Vance choose Yale Law School?

After Ohio State, Vance set his sights high. He applied to Yale Law School and got in. Getting accepted wasn't easy though. Only about 4 out of every 100 applicants get into Yale Law. That's incredibly selective.

What helped his application stand out:

• His military service and time in Iraq
• Strong grades from Ohio State
• A unique personal story that most Yale applicants didn't have
• Solid LSAT scores (the test you take to get into law school)

Vance has talked about feeling out of place when he first arrived at Yale in 2010. Most students came from wealthy families. They went to expensive private schools. They knew how to act at fancy dinners and networking events. Vance didn't know any of that stuff.

His book, Hillbilly Elegy, talks a lot about this culture shock. He felt like an outsider. But Yale also introduced him to important people who helped his career later on.

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What did JD Vance study in college?

Vance earned a law degree (called a JD, or Juris Doctor) in 2013. All law students take similar classes: constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, and civil procedure. Think of it like the core requirements everyone has to take.

But the real value of Yale wasn't just the classes. Vance made connections that shaped his whole career:

• He met Professor Amy Chua, who became his mentor
• He met his future wife, Usha Vance, who was also a Yale Law student
• He connected with tech investors like Peter Thiel, who later funded his business ventures
• He worked as an editor for the Yale Law Journal, which looks great on a resume

After graduation, Vance got prestigious clerkships (basically internships for law school graduates) with people like Judge David Bunning and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX).

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How much did JD Vance's education actually cost?

Here's where the numbers get serious:

Ohio State: Basically free thanks to military benefits.

Yale Law: Expensive. Tuition alone costs over $70,000 per year. Add in rent, food, books, and other expenses, and you're looking at $200,000+ for three years. Even with some financial aid, Vance took on student debt.

He's talked publicly about how those loan payments influenced his decisions after graduation. He needed a high-paying job to manage the debt, which is why he chose corporate law instead of public interest work (which pays way less).

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Graduate school financial aid works differently than undergrad. Law school, medical school, and MBA programs typically require significant loans. Factor this into your career planning.

Did college change JD Vance's views?

Definitely. Vance has said that Yale showed him how America's elite institutions really work. He saw who gets opportunities and who doesn't. He noticed how people from working-class backgrounds often get left out of important networks.

His book came out in 2016 during Trump's first presidential campaign. It resonated with lots of readers who felt ignored by politicians and the media. Vance wrote about his hometown's problems, blaming both economic struggles and cultural issues.

Some people point out that Vance's political views shifted over time. During and right after Yale, he criticized Trump. By 2022, when he ran for Senate in Ohio, he strongly supported Trump, and even got Trump’s endorsement in April 2022. Whether that's a genuine evolution or political strategy depends on who you ask.

What can high school students learn from this?

Vance's educational path teaches a few important lessons:

1. There's no "right" timeline for college: Vance served in the military before starting his bachelor's degree. That's totally valid. Some people work for a few years first. Others take gap years. College will still be there when you're ready.
2. Where you go can really matter: Would Vance have the same career if he'd gone to a different law school? Probably not. Yale's reputation and network gave him access to opportunities that other schools might not have provided.
3. Elite schools come with trade-offs: Yes, Vance benefited from Yale's connections. But he also felt like an outsider and took on significant debt. The "best" school isn't always the right choice for everyone.
4. Education is a tool, not a guarantee: Vance used his degrees as a foundation. Then he wrote a bestselling book, worked in business, and entered politics. The degrees alone didn't make him Vice President. What he did with them mattered more.

If you're trying to figure out college costs and options, websites like TuitionHero can help you compare schools, understand financial aid, and make smart decisions about paying for your degree.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Did JD Vance get a full scholarship to Yale Law School?

No. Yale doesn't give scholarships based on merit (good grades or test scores). All their financial aid is based on financial need. Vance got some aid but still needed student loans to cover the rest. He hasn't said exactly how much he borrowed.

What grades did JD Vance get at Ohio State?

He hasn't shared his exact GPA publicly. But to get into Yale Law, you typically need excellent grades, high LSAT scores, and a strong personal story. His military background probably helped his application too.

Did JD Vance become a lawyer?

Yes. He passed the bar exam after graduating from Yale in 2013. He worked as a law clerk for federal judges, then briefly at a big law firm called Sidley Austin. After that, he moved into venture capital (investing in startup companies) before eventually running for political office.

How did the military help pay for college?

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a program that covers college costs for veterans. It paid Vance's tuition and fees at Ohio State. It also gave him money for housing while he was in school. This meant he finished his bachelor's degree without any undergraduate student loans.

Is Yale Law School worth the debt?

That depends on what you want to do after graduation. Yale Law grads get access to top jobs at law firms, clerkships with federal judges, and powerful professional networks.

Those jobs usually pay really well, making it easier to pay back loans. But if you want to be a public defender or work for a nonprofit (lower-paying jobs), that much debt becomes much harder to manage.

Final thoughts

JD Vance went from Ohio State to Yale Law School, and those degrees completely changed his life trajectory. His education gave him credentials, important connections, and opportunities he wouldn't have had otherwise.

But his story also shows the challenges. Graduate school debt is real and affects your choices for years. Feeling like you don't fit in at an elite school is hard. And even with degrees from top institutions, success requires more than just showing up to class.

Whether you're thinking about community college, a state university, or a highly selective private school, remember that you have options. The best choice depends on your goals, your financial situation, and what kind of environment helps you thrive. Take your time figuring it out.

Source

• JD Vance - Wikipedia
• Usha Vance - Wikipedia
• Vice President JD Vance
• Second Lady Usha Vance
• J.D. Vance | Education, Book, Wife, Kids, Inauguration, & Facts | Britannica