by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/general-legal-studies/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying general legal studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send general legal studies graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
University Of New Haven tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying general legal studies schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general legal studies graduates from University Of New Haven make a median of around $77,792 per year.
University Of Miami came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general legal studies schools. University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Early-career general legal studies graduates from University Of Miami make a median of around $103,274 per year.
Central Michigan University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general legal studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Central Michigan University is a public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students who complete the general legal studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,066.
American University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general legal studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Legal Studies graduates of American University earn a median of about $101,273 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in general legal studies will find them at University Of Maryland University College, which ranked #5. University Of Maryland University College is a public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Early-career general legal studies graduates from University Of Maryland University College make a median of around $82,406 per year.
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #6 for general legal studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a public institution. Early-career general legal studies graduates from University Of Central Oklahoma make a median of around $64,420 per year.
Nova Southeastern University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general legal studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. General Legal Studies graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of about $59,450 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #8 position for general legal studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. General Legal Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $78,127 a year early in their careers.
Webster University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general legal studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general legal studies graduates from Webster University make a median of around $55,982 per year.
University Of La Verne earned the #10 position for general legal studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, general legal studies degree recipients from University Of La Verne typically earn about $61,433 annually.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #11 for general legal studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. General Legal Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of about $74,073 a year early in their careers.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general legal studies schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the general legal studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $74,073.
American Public University System earned the #13 position for general legal studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Early-career general legal studies graduates from American Public University System make a median of around $60,106 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for general legal studies. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school located in the city of Madison. General Legal Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $65,938 a year early in their careers.
University Of The District Of Columbia came in at #15 for general legal studies graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a public institution. General Legal Studies graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of about $61,910 a year early in their careers.
Hamline University placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for general legal studies. Hamline University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. General Legal Studies graduates of Hamline University earn a median of about $65,092 a year early in their careers.
Arizona State University came in at #17 for general legal studies graduate earnings this year. Arizona State University is a public school located in the city of Tempe. After graduating, general legal studies degree recipients from Arizona State University typically earn about $61,817 annually.
Arizona State University Skysong placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for general legal studies. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. General Legal Studies graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of about $61,817 a year early in their careers.
Suffolk University earned the #19 position for general legal studies graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general legal studies graduates from Suffolk University make a median of around $56,271 per year.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #20 position for general legal studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school located in the city of Amherst. After graduating, general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst typically earn about $67,417 annually.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general legal studies schools. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. Students who complete the general legal studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,817.
University Of Denver came in at #22 for general legal studies graduate earnings this year. University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. General Legal Studies graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of about $60,082 a year early in their careers.
Lipscomb University came in at #23 for general legal studies graduate earnings this year. Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students who complete the general legal studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,804.
Mercy College placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for general legal studies. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general legal studies graduates from Mercy College make a median of around $57,163 per year.
Michigan State University earned the #25 position for general legal studies graduate earnings this year. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. General Legal Studies graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of about $63,933 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send general legal studies graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Explore the highest-paying general legal studies schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries general legal studies graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 39 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
