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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their general legal studies graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find where general legal studies graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose general legal studies graduates go on to earn the most.
American University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying general legal studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career general legal studies graduates from American University make a median of around $101,273 per year.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Maryland University College one of the highest-paying schools for general legal studies. 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 The District Of Columbia produces some of the highest-paid graduates in general legal studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located 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.
Students chasing top earnings in general legal studies will find them at Mercy College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a private not-for-profit institution. General Legal Studies graduates of Mercy College earn a median of about $57,163 a year early in their careers.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying general legal studies schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a public school located in the city of New York. Students who complete the general legal studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,557.
St Johns University New York placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for general legal studies. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the general legal studies program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,408.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #7 spot for general legal studies salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a public institution. Early-career general legal studies graduates from William Paterson University Of New Jersey make a median of around $51,578 per year.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their general legal studies graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 7 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.
