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2027 Best Legal Research Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

23 Colleges in the United States
3,189 Legal Research Degrees Awarded
$79,434 Avg Early-Career Salary

Legal Research degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their legal research programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for legal research students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the legal research degrees they offer, see the list below.

1
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

No school ranked higher than Georgetown University this year for legal research. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 744 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $101,347 in their early career. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Read more about the legal research program at Georgetown University

2
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

Students looking for a strong legal research program will find one at New York University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 514 legal research students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal research degree from New York University earn around $64,516 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal research from New York University

3
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for legal research. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 180 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $99,682 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal research from University Of Pennsylvania

4

Cornell University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal research, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 201 legal research degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal research program at Cornell University

5
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

A rank of #5 makes Villanova University one of the top schools for legal research. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Villanova. About 92% of students finish within six years. Villanova University awarded about 68 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal research degree from Villanova University earn around $72,601 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal research program at Villanova University

6

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best legal research schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 216 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Research graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,523 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal research from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #7 for legal research this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 360 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal research degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $175,901 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. Read more about the legal research program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

8
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University placed #8 among the best legal research schools. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 83 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Seton Hall University in the most recent data year. Legal Research graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $105,031 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,422 to complete this degree. See the full legal research program report for Seton Hall University

9

University Of Maryland Baltimore landed the #9 spot for legal research this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 34 legal research students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal research degree from University Of Maryland Baltimore earn around $86,070 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full legal research details for University Of Maryland Baltimore

10

George Washington University placed #10 among the best legal research schools. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 163 legal research degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal research degree from George Washington University earn around $90,624 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910. Read more about the legal research program at George Washington University

11

Fordham University landed the #11 spot for legal research this year. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 87 legal research degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal research degree from Fordham University earn around $82,764 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete this degree. Get the full legal research details for Fordham University

12
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #12 position for legal research this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 19 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Research graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,130. More information about a degree in legal research from Syracuse University

13
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University earned the #13 position for legal research this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. American University awarded about 127 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal research degree from American University earn around $65,919 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,139. More information about a degree in legal research from American University

14

Pace University New York placed #14 among the best legal research schools. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Pace University New York awarded about 13 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $59,662. Students borrow a median of $25,656 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal research program at Pace University New York

15
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University earned the #15 position for legal research this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 110 legal research degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Legal Research graduates of Temple University earn a median of $102,915 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete this degree. Get the full legal research details for Temple University

16

Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #16 spot for legal research this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. There were roughly 17 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $80,825. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Read more about the legal research program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center

17
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University came in at #17 for legal research this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hempstead. Hofstra University graduates 68% of students within six years. Hofstra University awarded about 26 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $74,178. Typical student debt for the program is $24,848. More information about a degree in legal research from Hofstra University

18
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University came in at #18 for legal research this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 58 legal research degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Legal Research graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $62,692 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,978 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal research program at Drexel University

19
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best legal research schools. Located in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Yeshiva University awarded about 16 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $46,411 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,625. See the full legal research program report for Yeshiva University

20

Widener University Main Campus placed #20 among the best legal research schools. Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chester. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Widener University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $60,864 in their early career. Widener University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,561 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal research from Widener University Main Campus

21

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #21 for legal research this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 legal research students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $64,062. Typical student debt for the program is $24,872. Get the full legal research details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

22

St Johns University New York came in at #22 for legal research this year. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 48 legal research degrees were awarded at St Johns University New York in the most recent year. Legal Research graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $74,248 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,521 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal research from St Johns University New York

23
Albany Law School crest
Albany Law School
Albany, NY

Albany Law School came in at #23 for legal research this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany Law School is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 43 legal research degrees were awarded at Albany Law School in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $65,381 in their early career. Read more about the legal research program at Albany Law School

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 23 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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