by our College Data Analytics Team
[Law](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/law/) 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 43 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.
Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 for law graduate salaries in the Southeast Region. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, law degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus typically earn about $247,143 annually.
Vanderbilt University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying law schools. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Early-career law graduates from Vanderbilt University make a median of around $172,684 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in law will find them at Emory University, which ranked #3. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Students who complete the law program here go on to a median salary of roughly $129,964.
Strong graduate earnings at George Mason University earned it the #4 place for law. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. After graduating, law degree recipients from George Mason University typically earn about $127,882 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill produces some of the highest-paid graduates in law, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Law graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of about $103,387 a year early in their careers.
College Of William And Mary ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying law schools. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. After graduating, law degree recipients from College Of William And Mary typically earn about $109,046 annually.
University Of Miami earned the #7 position for law graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career law graduates from University Of Miami make a median of around $109,945 per year.
University Of Florida placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for law. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Law graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of about $116,234 a year early in their careers.
Washington And Lee University landed the #9 spot for law salaries this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the law program here go on to a median salary of roughly $108,151.
University Of Georgia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying law schools. University Of Georgia is a public school located in the city of Athens. Students who complete the law program here go on to a median salary of roughly $108,190.
Wake Forest University landed the #11 spot for law salaries this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career law graduates from Wake Forest University make a median of around $107,956 per year.
Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for law. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career law graduates from Tulane University Of Louisiana make a median of around $107,934 per year.
Georgia State University earned the #13 position for law graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. After graduating, law degree recipients from Georgia State University typically earn about $105,625 annually.
The University Of Alabama landed the #14 spot for law salaries this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. Law graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of about $100,203 a year early in their careers.
University Of Richmond landed the #15 spot for law salaries this year. University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. Early-career law graduates from University Of Richmond make a median of around $97,641 per year.
The University Of Tennessee placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for law. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Law graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of about $96,435 a year early in their careers.
Nova Southeastern University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying law schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career law graduates from Nova Southeastern University make a median of around $98,926 per year.
University Of Arkansas came in at #18 for law graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. Early-career law graduates from University Of Arkansas make a median of around $92,344 per year.
Stetson University landed the #19 spot for law salaries this year. Located in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the law program here go on to a median salary of roughly $96,314.
Florida State University earned the #20 position for law graduate earnings this year. Florida State University is a public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students who complete the law program here go on to a median salary of roughly $95,460.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #21 for law graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. After graduating, law degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia typically earn about $95,937 annually.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #22 spot for law salaries this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Law graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of about $80,219 a year early in their careers.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for law. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the law program here go on to a median salary of roughly $83,762.
University Of Kentucky landed the #24 spot for law salaries this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. After graduating, law degree recipients from University Of Kentucky typically earn about $90,723 annually.
West Virginia University placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for law. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a public institution. Early-career law graduates from West Virginia University make a median of around $81,586 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid law ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 43 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.
