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 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying law schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send law graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Vanderbilt University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid law graduates in Tennessee. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Law graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $172,684 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying law schools. The University Of Tennessee is a public school located in the city of Knoxville. Students who complete the law program here go on to a median salary of roughly $96,435.
University Of Memphis produces some of the highest-paid graduates in law, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Law graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of about $83,228 a year early in their careers.
Lincoln Memorial University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in law, landing the #4 spot this year. Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. Law graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of about $68,780 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled 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 · 4 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.