by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 185 U.S. colleges awarded 4,638 degrees and certificates in Legal Studies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 67% of graduates. College Factual ranks 78 schools in its 2027 Best Legal Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $41,299 one year after completing, rising to $64,762 after four years.
A degree in Legal Studies involves the study of Legal Studies. A Program Of Study That Focuses On Law And Legal Issues From The Perspective Of The Social Sciences And Humanities. Examples: [Juris Master (J.m.) Degree], [Master Of Legal Studies].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, legal studies draws strong interest, with 4,638 degrees awarded annually. 185 colleges award legal studies degrees, an average of 25 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 243.
By level, the 4,638 awards include 53 certificates, 535 associate degrees, 3,127 bachelor’s degrees, 919 master’s degrees and 4 doctorates.
Women earned 70% of legal studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (3,224 of 4,638). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,126) and Hispanic or Latino (1,193), and international students earned 109.
College Factual ranks 78 schools in its 2027 Best Legal Studies Schools ranking, including 17 for associate degrees, 49 for bachelor’s degrees and 10 for master’s degrees. It also ranks legal studies schools within 19 states. In all, 185 colleges offer legal studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Legal Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common legal studies credential is the bachelor’s degree: 3,127 of the 4,638 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to legal studies call most for Writing, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Law and Government, English Language and Administrative, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Written Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a legal studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 53 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 535 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,127 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 919 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to legal studies, at 36.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 36.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 20.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 18.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 9.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.4% |
| Some college courses | 2.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Legal Studies, with an average median salary of $107,542; the strongest outlook belongs to Paralegals and Legal Assistants, at 4.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Law Researcher, Escrow Officer, Legal Research Analyst and Case Briefer.
The occupation related to legal studies with the most projected jobs is Legal Support Workers, All Other, at 197,456.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | 197,456 | -0.5% |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 60,495 | 4.4% |
Legal Studies graduates earn a median $41,299 one year after completing their program, $64,762 after four years and $63,713 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $41,299 |
| 4 years | $64,762 |
| 5 years | $63,713 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to legal studies, with a median salary of $134,350.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $134,350 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $80,735 |
Legal Studies has 2 similar majors in the Legal Professions field, which together award 837 degrees a year; the largest are Pre-Law Studies (836) and Non-Professional Legal Studies, Other (1). Browse all Legal Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Pre-Law Studies | 836 |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies, Other | 1 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
