2027 Best Legal Research Schools in New York
Legal Research programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their legal research programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for legal research students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Legal Research in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall legal research education in New York.
Top Schools in Legal Research
Leading the list is New York University, our #1 school for legal research. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 514 legal research students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $64,516 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,897.
Read more about the legal research program at New York University
Cornell University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal research, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Cornell University awarded about 201 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005.
See the full legal research program report for Cornell University
A rank of #3 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the top schools for legal research. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 360 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $175,901. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258.
See the full legal research program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Students looking for a strong legal research program will find one at Fordham University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Fordham University awarded about 87 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal research degree from Fordham University earn around $82,764 in the first couple years of their career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans.
Read more about the legal research program at Fordham University
Syracuse University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal research, ranking #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students 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
Pace University New York placed #6 among the best legal research schools. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Pace University New York graduates 60% of students within six years. Pace University New York awarded about 13 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal research degree from Pace University New York earn around $59,662 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,656.
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Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best legal research schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. About 17 legal research degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $80,825. Typical student debt for the program is $15,500.
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Hofstra University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best legal research schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Hofstra University in the most recent data year. Legal Research graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $74,178 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,848.
See the full legal research program report for Hofstra University
Yeshiva University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best legal research schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 16 legal research degrees were awarded at Yeshiva University in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $46,411 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete this degree.
See the full legal research program report for Yeshiva University
St Johns University New York earned the #10 position for legal research this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. St Johns University New York awarded about 48 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Research graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $74,248 early in their careers. St Johns University New York graduates carry a median of $25,521 in student loans.
See the full legal research program report for St Johns University New York
Albany Law School earned the #11 position for legal research this year. Located in the city of Albany, Albany Law School is a small private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 43 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Albany Law School in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Albany Law School generally make around $65,381.
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More Legal Research Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 11 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.