Legal Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their legal studies programs.
College Factual analyzed 78 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best legal studies schools.
The legal studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Legal Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Legal Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in legal studies. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 legal studies degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
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Drake University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Drake University awarded about 37 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Drake University graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong legal studies program will find one at Auburn University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 69 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from Auburn University earn around $55,422 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803.
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University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 201 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $43,886 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,723 in student loans.
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University Of Miami is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 51 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from University Of Miami earn around $49,624 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500.
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University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #6 among the best legal studies schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 117 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $39,558 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,383 in student loans.
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University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #7 spot for legal studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 100 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $41,144 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,980 in student loans.
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University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best legal studies schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 41 legal studies degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete this degree.
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American University placed #9 among the best legal studies schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 40 legal studies degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from American University earn around $45,790 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,375.
More information about a degree in legal studies from American University
University Of Arizona earned the #10 position for legal studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Arizona awarded about 150 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from University Of Arizona earn around $50,834 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete this degree.
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University At Buffalo landed the #11 spot for legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 95 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232.
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University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #12 position for legal studies this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 29 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete this degree.
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Belmont University earned the #13 position for legal studies this year. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans.
More information about a degree in legal studies from Belmont University
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for legal studies this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 17 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans.
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Dickinson College came in at #15 for legal studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Carlisle. Dickinson College graduates 80% of students within six years. Dickinson College awarded about 14 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $39,937 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,014.
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University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #16 for legal studies this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 22 legal studies degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent year. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $39,558 early in their careers. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates carry a median of $17,383 in student loans.
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Texas State University San Marcos earned the #17 position for legal studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 legal studies degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Legal Studies graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $47,456 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,659.
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University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #18 among the best legal studies schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 91 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $36,181 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
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Western New England University placed #19 among the best legal studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Western New England University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $64,056 in their early career. Western New England University graduates carry a median of $25,520 in student loans.
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Arizona State University landed the #20 spot for legal studies this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 117 legal studies degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from Arizona State University earn around $42,228 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,827.
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University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #21 for legal studies this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 114 legal studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Legal Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $36,941 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,416.
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Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #22 among the best legal studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Mahwah. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates 70% of students within six years. About 21 legal studies degrees were awarded at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn around $48,545 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,014.
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Quinnipiac University placed #23 among the best legal studies schools. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Quinnipiac University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $39,162 in their early career. Quinnipiac University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Fresno City College came in at #24 for legal studies this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 19 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $37,470 in their early career. Fresno City College graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans.
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West Virginia University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best legal studies schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. West Virginia University graduates 64% of students within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 12 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from West Virginia University earn around $51,750 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Legal Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong legal studies education:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 78 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
