2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Legal Research is the 89th most popular major in the country with 9,738 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, legal research graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $64,635 and had an average of $65,122 in loans still to pay off.
At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 186 legal research graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate” ranking, we looked at 31 colleges that offer a degree in legal research. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent legal research programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the legal research program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate
The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree legal research students.
Top 28 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Legal Research
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Golden Gate University - San Francisco. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate list. This small school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.
Golden Gate University - San Francisco also made our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at Golden Gate University - San Francisco are $19,705, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Full Golden Gate University - San Francisco Legal Research Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate. UNL is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UNL also made our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #25. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska - Lincoln are $19,513.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal research degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.
UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate. University of Virginia - Main Campus is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s legal research degrees to qualified students.
University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate list. University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s legal research degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130.
University at Buffalo did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #6. University at Buffalo is located in Buffalo, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s legal research degrees to qualified students.
University at Buffalo also took the #18 spot in our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University at Buffalo are $26,028, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
With a ranking of #7, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate list. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal research degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kansas are $25,007.
With a ranking of #8, Widener University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate list. This medium-sized school is located in Chester, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Widener are $24,810, but some majors have different tuition rates.
University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s legal research students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree legal research students list, UCLA has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.
With a ranking of #9, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate list. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s legal research degrees to qualified students.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
George Washington University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate list. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal research degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.
GWU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at GWU are $31,824, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Legal Research at George Washington University
University of Iowa ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate list. Located in Iowa City, Iowa, this large public school awarded 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal research students in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 8 doctorate’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.
IU Bloomington also made our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Legal Research at Indiana University - Bloomington
University of California - Berkeley landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 7 doctorate’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.
UC Berkeley also made our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
The University of Alabama ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate list. UA is a public institution located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UA, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UA are $30,940.
With a ranking of #14, American University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate list. American University is located in Washington, District of Columbia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s legal research degrees to qualified students.
The American University also made our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at American University are $35,524, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Legal Research at The American University
University of Arizona came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of Arizona is a large school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 2 doctorate’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Pitt is a large school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 2 doctorate’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.
Pitt also took the #22 spot in our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus are $40,836.
Read more about Legal Research at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus
Wake Forest University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.
Wake Forest University also took the #14 spot in our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wake Forest University are $39,216.
Read full report on Legal Research at Wake Forest University
Pennsylvania State University - University Park landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Penn State University Park are $38,728, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Legal Research at Pennsylvania State University - University Park
University of Connecticut came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of Connecticut is a public institution located in Storrs, Connecticut. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
UCONN also made our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Connecticut are $41,576.
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.
U-M also took the #5 spot in our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Read full report on Legal Research at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
With a ranking of #21, Suffolk University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate list. This medium-sized school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.
Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Suffolk University are $40,238.
Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Columbia is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 3 doctorate’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our doctor’s degree legal research students list, Columbia has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.
Pace University - New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #22. Pace University - New York is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 1 doctorate’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.
Average graduate tuition and fees at Pace University are $33,356, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Case Western Reserve University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #23. Case Western is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Case Western, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western Reserve University are $47,958.
Southern Methodist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #24. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal research degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.
SMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Methodist University are $47,478, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Harvard University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Harvard is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Harvard also took the #2 spot in our “Best Legal Research Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.
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Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Legal Research in the Southeast Region
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Best Legal Research Doctor's Degree Schools
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Most Focused Doctor's Degree Colleges for Legal Research
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Most Popular Doctor's Degree Online Legal Research Schools
Legal Research students
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Legal Research (Income $0-$30k)
Legal Research students with family income less than $30k
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Legal Research (Income $48-$75k)
Legal Research students with family income $48-$75k
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Legal Research (Income Over $110k)
Legal Research students with family income exceeding $110k
Highest Paid Doctor's Degree Legal Research Graduates
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Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Legal Research
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Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Legal Research (With Aid)
Legal Research students getting aid
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Legal Research (Income $30-$48k)
Legal Research students with family income $30-$48k
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Legal Research (Income $75-$110k)
Legal Research students with family income $75-$110k
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Legal Research
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Notes and References
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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