by our College Data Analytics Team
[Law](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/law/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a law degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Virginia Main Campus the top school for law graduate earnings in Virginia. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Early-career law graduates from University Of Virginia Main Campus make a median of around $247,143 per year.
A rank of #2 makes George Mason University one of the highest-paying schools for law. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Law graduates of George Mason University earn a median of about $127,882 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes College Of William And Mary one of the highest-paying schools for law. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. Students who complete the law program here go on to a median salary of roughly $109,046.
Strong graduate earnings at Washington And Lee University earned it the #4 place for law. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, law degree recipients from Washington And Lee University typically earn about $108,151 annually.
University Of Richmond produces some of the highest-paid graduates in law, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution. Law graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of about $97,641 a year early in their careers.
Regent University landed the #6 spot for law salaries this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the law program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,826.
Appalachian School Of Law came in at #7 for law graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Grundy, Appalachian School Of Law is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career law graduates from Appalachian School Of Law make a median of around $60,400 per year.
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 · 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.