by our College Data Analytics Team
[Law](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/law/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying law schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose law graduates go on to earn the most.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #1 spot for highest-paid law graduates in New York. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career law graduates from Columbia University In The City Of New York make a median of around $332,787 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at New York University earned it the #2 place for law. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the law program here go on to a median salary of roughly $246,348.
Fordham University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying law schools. Fordham University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Early-career law graduates from Fordham University make a median of around $204,090 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in law will find them at St Johns University New York, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the law program here go on to a median salary of roughly $118,711.
Yeshiva University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in law, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a private not-for-profit institution. Law graduates of Yeshiva University earn a median of about $124,451 a year early in their careers.
Brooklyn Law School placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for law. Brooklyn Law School is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Law graduates of Brooklyn Law School earn a median of about $116,272 a year early in their careers.
New York Law School landed the #7 spot for law salaries this year. Set in the city of New York, New York Law School is a private not-for-profit institution. Law graduates of New York Law School earn a median of about $103,657 a year early in their careers.
Hofstra University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying law schools. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career law graduates from Hofstra University make a median of around $108,159 per year.
Cuny School Of Law At Queens College came in at #9 for law graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny School Of Law At Queens College is a public institution. Law graduates of Cuny School Of Law At Queens College earn a median of about $91,698 a year early in their careers.
Pace University New York placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for law. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the law program here go on to a median salary of roughly $98,708.
Syracuse University came in at #11 for law graduate earnings this year. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. After graduating, law degree recipients from Syracuse University typically earn about $97,544 annually.
Touro College placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for law. Touro College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Early-career law graduates from Touro College make a median of around $98,108 per year.
University At Buffalo came in at #13 for law graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a public institution. After graduating, law degree recipients from University At Buffalo typically earn about $90,174 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries law 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 · 13 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.