by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 24 U.S. colleges awarded 388 degrees and certificates in International Law & Legal Studies. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 98% of graduates. College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best International Law & Legal Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $78,306 one year after completing, rising to $107,082 after four years.
A major in International Law & Legal Studies involves the study of International Law And Legal Studies. An Advanced, Professional Study Of The Law Affecting Relations Between Nations, The Behavior Of International Organizations, And The International Activities Of Private Citizens And Organizations. Examples: [International Law And Legal Studies (Ll.m.)], [International Law And Legal Studies (J.s.d./s.j.d.)].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, international law & legal studies draws strong interest, with 388 degrees awarded annually. 24 colleges award international law & legal studies degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 88.
By level, the 388 awards include 382 master’s degrees and 6 doctorates.
Women earned 62% of international law & legal studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (240 of 388). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (37) and Hispanic or Latino (31), and international students earned 273.
College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best International Law & Legal Studies Schools ranking, including 9 for master’s degrees. It also ranks international law & legal studies schools within 5 states. In all, 24 colleges offer international law & legal studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value International Law & Legal Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common international law & legal studies credential is the master’s degree: 382 of the 388 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to international law & legal studies call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Law and Government, English Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an international law & legal studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 382 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 6 |
First professional degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to international law & legal studies, at 43.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| First professional degree | 43.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 40.6% |
| Master’s degree | 13.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to International Law & Legal Studies, with an average median salary of $82,454; the strongest outlook belongs to Lawyers, at 2.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Professor, Law Instructor, Associate Professor and Adjunct Professor.
The occupation related to international law & legal studies with the most projected jobs is Law Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,017,747.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,017,747 | -2.9% |
| Lawyers | 155,305 | 2.6% |
International Law & Legal Studies graduates earn a median $78,306 one year after completing their program, $107,082 after four years and $107,285 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $78,306 |
| 4 years | $107,082 |
| 5 years | $107,285 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to international law & legal studies, with a median salary of $91,726.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | $91,726 |
| Lawyers | $73,181 |
International Law & Legal Studies has 19 similar majors in the Legal Professions field, which together award 11,790 degrees a year; the largest are Advanced Legal Research/Studies, General (5,066), Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other (1,551) and Programs for Foreign Lawyers (1,380). Browse all Legal Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
