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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Legal Research

168 Ranked Colleges
6,874 Degrees Awarded
$39,000 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Legal Research Major

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Well Attended Legal Research Major” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 6,874 people earned their degree in legal research, making the major the 114th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, legal research graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $66,544 and had an average of $26,000 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Legal Research Major” ranking analyzed 168 colleges that offered a degree in legal research. To top this list, a school must have a successful legal research program that graduates more students in the field than other colleges that offer the same major.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Most Well Attended Legal Research Major” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Legal Research Major”.

1
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Georgetown University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major list. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 317 diplomas to qualified ’s legal research students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full Georgetown Legal Research Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major list. WUSTL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 370 ’s legal research degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Washington University in St Louis Legal Research Report

3
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Southern California. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s legal research degrees to 354 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full University of Southern California Legal Research Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major list. This large school is located in Norman, Oklahoma, and it awarded 216 ’s legal research degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Legal Research Report

5

Out of the 168 schools in the Most Well Attended Legal Research Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #5 spot on the list. ASU - Skysong is a large school located in Scottsdale, Arizona that handed out 205 ’s legal research degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Research at ASU - Skysong

6
NYU crest
New York University
New York, New York

New York University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major ranking, coming in at #6. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s legal research degrees to 179 students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Research at NYU

7
Pepperdine crest
Pepperdine University
Malibu, California

Pepperdine University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major ranking. Pepperdine University is a fairly large school located in Malibu, California that handed out 139 ’s legal research degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Research at Pepperdine University

8
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Legal Research Major ranking. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s legal research degrees to 129 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Research at Florida State University

9

University of California - Berkeley ranked #9 on this year’s Most Well Attended Legal Research Major list. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 125 ’s legal research degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UC Berkeley Legal Research Report

10
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #10, Boston University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major list. Boston U is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 118 ’s legal research degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Legal Research at Boston U

11
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Legal Research Major ranking. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 252 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Legal Research at Loyola Chicago

12

Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major ranking. Texas A&M College Station is a large public school situated in College Station, Texas. It awarded 110 ’s legal research degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Legal Research at Texas A&M College Station

13
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Well Attended Legal Research Major list. This large school is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it awarded 104 ’s legal research degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Legal Research at Liberty University

14

California Western School of Law did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major ranking, coming in at #14. California Western School of Law is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 103 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Legal Research at California Western School of Law

15
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida

With a ranking of #15, University of Miami did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major list. This fairly large school is located in Coral Gables, Florida, and it awarded 102 ’s legal research degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Research at U Miami

16

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major ranking, coming in at #16. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 100 ’s legal research degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Research at UW Seattle

17

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Legal Research Major ranking. Columbia is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 105 ’s legal research degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Legal Research at Columbia

17
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Well Attended Legal Research Major list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Northwestern Legal Research Report

19
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Legal Research Major ranking. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s legal research degrees to 92 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full UF Legal Research Report

20
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University ranked #20 on this year’s Most Well Attended Legal Research Major list. This large school is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it awarded 91 ’s legal research degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full James Madison University Legal Research Report

21
The American University crest
American University
Washington, District of Columbia

American University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major ranking. American University is a fairly large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 88 ’s legal research degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Legal Research at American University

22

Case Western Reserve University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Well Attended Legal Research Major list. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s legal research degrees to 85 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Case Western Reserve University Legal Research Report

23
Fordham U crest
Fordham University
Bronx, New York

With a ranking of #23, Fordham University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major list. Bronx, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s legal research degrees to 81 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Legal Research at Fordham University

24
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University ranked #24 on this year’s Most Well Attended Legal Research Major list. Drexel is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 79 ’s legal research degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Research at Drexel University

25
Seton Hall crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, New Jersey

Seton Hall University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Research Major ranking, coming in at #25. Located in South Orange, New Jersey, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 77 diplomas to qualified ’s legal research students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Research at Seton Hall

Not only did these schools make the top 26 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
GWU crest
George Washington University
Washington, District of Columbia

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

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