2026 Best Legal Studies Schools in California
Legal Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for legal studies students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Legal Studies in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall legal studies education in California.
Top Schools in Legal Studies
Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the best school in the country for a degree in legal studies. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 163 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $43,886 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,723.
More information about a degree in legal studies from University Of California Berkeley
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Santa Cruz one of the top schools for legal studies. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 104 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $36,941 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $18,416 in student loans.
Read more about the legal studies program at University Of California Santa Cruz
Students looking for a strong legal studies program will find one at Fresno City College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. There were roughly 16 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,234.
Get the full legal studies details for Fresno City College
Santa Ana College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. There were roughly 32 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Santa Ana College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from Santa Ana College earn around $39,633 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete this degree.
See the full legal studies program report for Santa Ana College
A rank of #5 makes University Of La Verne one of the top schools for legal studies. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Verne. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. University Of La Verne awarded about 12 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $49,004 early in their careers. University Of La Verne graduates carry a median of $30,370 in student loans.
Read more about the legal studies program at University Of La Verne
Oxnard College came in at #6 for legal studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oxnard. About 11 legal studies degrees were awarded at Oxnard College in the most recent year.
See the full legal studies program report for Oxnard College
Pasadena City College earned the #7 position for legal studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pasadena. There were roughly 13 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $38,841 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,191.
More information about a degree in legal studies from Pasadena City College
College Of The Canyons placed #8 among the best legal studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. There were roughly 29 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans.
Read more about the legal studies program at College Of The Canyons
East Los Angeles College landed the #9 spot for legal studies this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. There were roughly 39 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at East Los Angeles College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. East Los Angeles College graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans.
More information about a degree in legal studies from East Los Angeles College
Hartnell College landed the #10 spot for legal studies this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Hartnell College awarded about 13 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from Hartnell College earn around $35,080 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,000.
More information about a degree in legal studies from Hartnell College
San Joaquin Delta College earned the #11 position for legal studies this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. About 40 legal studies degrees were awarded at San Joaquin Delta College in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $65,168 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete this degree.
Read more about the legal studies program at San Joaquin Delta College
Sacramento City College came in at #12 for legal studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 38 legal studies degrees were awarded at Sacramento City College in the most recent year. Legal Studies graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,180.
Get the full legal studies details for Sacramento City College
Los Angeles City College placed #13 among the best legal studies schools. Los Angeles City College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Los Angeles City College awarded about 16 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of Los Angeles City College earn a median of $83,699 early in their careers. Los Angeles City College graduates carry a median of $10,763 in student loans.
See the full legal studies program report for Los Angeles City College
Chaffey College landed the #14 spot for legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 17 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Chaffey College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Chaffey College graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans.
More information about a degree in legal studies from Chaffey College
Mt San Jacinto Community College District ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best legal studies schools. Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Jacinto. There were roughly 12 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Jacinto Community College District in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $37,488 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,770.
See the full legal studies program report for Mt San Jacinto Community College District
More Legal Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 57 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
