by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 157 U.S. colleges awarded 12,178 degrees and certificates in Legal Research. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 96% of graduates. College Factual ranks 119 schools in its 2027 Best Legal Research Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $78,306 one year after completing, rising to $107,082 after four years.
A major in Legal Research will allow you to do in depth research in the legal field. The program focuses on law and legal issues from many different perspectives. Students receive a broad education in the social sciences and humanities to help them research laws and policies throughout history. Classes will include debate and discussion on controversial issues and the role of government in society.
Some of the courses you will take are English, literature, speech, United Stares history, United States government and politics, government policy, logic, writing, political science, philosophy, and constitutional law.
There are many different concentrations in this field. They include Programs for Foreign Lawyers, U.S. Law / Jurisprudence, Canadian Law / Jurisprudence, Banking or Corporate Law, Comparative Law, Environmental Law, Health Law, International Law and Legal Studies, and International Business, Trade, and Tax Law.
Studying Legal Research explores Legal Research And Advanced Professional Studies.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, legal research draws strong interest, with 12,178 degrees awarded annually. 157 colleges award legal research degrees, an average of 78 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,214.
By level, the 12,178 awards include 1 certificates, 9 associate degrees, 172 bachelor’s degrees, 11,667 master’s degrees and 329 doctorates.
Women earned 61% of legal research degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,452 of 12,178). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,920) and Hispanic or Latino (1,040), and international students earned 5,055.
College Factual ranks 119 schools in its 2027 Best Legal Research Schools ranking, including 5 for bachelor’s degrees and 107 for master’s degrees. It also ranks legal research schools within 16 states. In all, 157 colleges offer legal research programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Legal Research Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common legal research credential is the master’s degree: 11,667 of the 12,178 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to legal research call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Law and Government, English Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
This major is for a person who wants to understand the unique relationship between law and society. You will be constantly reading, researching, and writing on different legal cases and laws. Don't be afraid to voice your opinion and engage in debate. Legal problems are often issues of contention with people.
Be ready to work hard to obtain good grades while balancing all of the work from your courses. You should have good time management skills because you will have a heavy workload in reading and writing for your different courses at the same time. Understanding history, politics, philosophy, and different social issues is important to help shape your opinions and ideas. You will also learn how to read and understand different court rulings and use legal resources to help you. Some schools may require you to obtain an internship in a law office where you may get the opportunity to draft letters or a legal brief.
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How long a legal research degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 9 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 172 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 11,667 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 329 |
First professional degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to legal research, at 43.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| First professional degree | 43.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 40.7% |
| Master’s degree | 13.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Legal Research, with an average median salary of $82,454; the strongest outlook belongs to Lawyers, at 2.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include University Faculty Member, Adjunct Law Professor, College Faculty Member and Law Instructor.
Legal research will prepare you to go into law school if you decide to pursue further education. This would also prepare you to continue on in your education and become a judge. Another career opportunity could be to become a court reporter or legal researcher.
The occupation related to legal research with the most projected jobs is Law Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,017,747.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,017,747 | -2.9% |
| Lawyers | 155,305 | 2.6% |
Legal Research graduates earn a median $78,306 one year after completing their program, $107,082 after four years and $107,285 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $78,306 |
| 4 years | $107,082 |
| 5 years | $107,285 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to legal research, with a median salary of $91,726.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | $91,726 |
| Lawyers | $73,181 |
Legal Research includes 20 concentrations that together award 12,178 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Advanced Legal Research/Studies, General (5,066), Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other (1,551) and Programs for Foreign Lawyers (1,380). It has 4 similar majors in the Legal Professions field, which together award 55,669 degrees a year; the largest are Law (36,931), Legal Support Services (10,718) and Non-Professional Legal Studies (5,475). Browse all Legal Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Law | 36,931 |
| Legal Support Services | 10,718 |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | 5,475 |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | 2,545 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
