by our College Data Analytics Team
[Legal Research](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-research/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their legal research graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find where legal research graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose legal research graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Georgetown University the top school for legal research graduate earnings in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Legal Research graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of about $169,366 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the highest-paying schools for legal research. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, legal research degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York typically earn about $130,948 annually.
Seton Hall University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in legal research, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the legal research program here go on to a median salary of roughly $134,491.
Temple University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in legal research, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a public institution. Early-career legal research graduates from Temple University make a median of around $121,289 per year.
A rank of #5 makes George Washington University one of the highest-paying schools for legal research. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students who complete the legal research program here go on to a median salary of roughly $113,751.
University Of Maryland Baltimore came in at #6 for legal research graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore is a public institution. Legal Research graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore earn a median of about $86,070 a year early in their careers.
Fordham University landed the #7 spot for legal research salaries this year. Fordham University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Students who complete the legal research program here go on to a median salary of roughly $82,764.
American University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for legal research. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career legal research graduates from American University make a median of around $98,927 per year.
Hofstra University landed the #9 spot for legal research salaries this year. Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Early-career legal research graduates from Hofstra University make a median of around $74,178 per year.
St Johns University New York placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for legal research. St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. Early-career legal research graduates from St Johns University New York make a median of around $69,412 per year.
Widener University Main Campus earned the #11 position for legal research graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Legal Research graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of about $72,106 a year early in their careers.
Drexel University came in at #12 for legal research graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the legal research program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,306.
Yeshiva University earned the #13 position for legal research graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career legal research graduates from Yeshiva University make a median of around $46,411 per year.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their legal research graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 13 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.