2027 Best Legal Research Schools in the Southeast Region
Legal Research programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best legal research schools.
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Best Schools for Legal Research in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall legal research education in the Southeast Region.
Top Schools in Legal Research
University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in legal research. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 56 legal research degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Legal Research graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627.
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Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal research, ranking #2. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Duke University awarded about 124 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $213,539 in their early career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans.
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A rank of #3 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for legal research. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 31 legal research degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $77,997 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
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A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the top schools for legal research. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 82 legal research students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Legal Research graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $106,227 early in their careers. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong legal research program will find one at Wake Forest University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Wake Forest University awarded about 54 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $67,369 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577.
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George Mason University placed #6 among the best legal research schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 49 legal research students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal research degree from George Mason University earn around $63,131 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
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Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #7 position for legal research this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 53 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $49,718 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,348.
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College Of William And Mary placed #8 among the best legal research schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. College Of William And Mary awarded about 11 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,338. Typical student debt for the program is $18,935.
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University Of Georgia placed #9 among the best legal research schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 legal research degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $53,546 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree.
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Tulane University Of Louisiana earned the #10 position for legal research this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 44 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Research graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $53,507 early in their careers. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans.
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Emory University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best legal research schools. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Legal Research graduates of Emory University earn a median of $68,090 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete this degree.
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Samford University landed the #12 spot for legal research this year. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Samford University graduates 77% of students within six years. Samford University awarded about 25 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $64,132. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete this degree.
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Florida State University landed the #13 spot for legal research this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Florida State University awarded about 293 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $77,520 in their early career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
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University Of Miami placed #14 among the best legal research schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. About 153 legal research degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $75,849. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans.
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Stetson University landed the #15 spot for legal research this year. Set in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 21 legal research degrees were awarded at Stetson University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Stetson University generally make around $38,839. Stetson University graduates carry a median of $25,382 in student loans.
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Florida International University earned the #16 position for legal research this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Florida International University awarded about 57 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $52,517 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,349.
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James Madison University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best legal research schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 54 legal research students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Legal Research graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $40,966 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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Saint Thomas University placed #18 among the best legal research schools. Located in the suburb of Miami Gardens, Saint Thomas University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Saint Thomas University graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Saint Thomas University in the most recent data year. Legal Research graduates of Saint Thomas University earn a median of $55,292 early in their careers. Saint Thomas University graduates carry a median of $24,955 in student loans.
More information about a degree in legal research from Saint Thomas University
Loyola University New Orleans ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best legal research schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 18 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University New Orleans in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Loyola University New Orleans generally make around $48,040. Typical student debt for the program is $26,606.
More information about a degree in legal research from Loyola University New Orleans
The University Of Alabama ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best legal research schools. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 legal research students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal research degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $86,616 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,496.
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Nova Southeastern University landed the #21 spot for legal research this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal research degree from Nova Southeastern University earn around $78,762 in the first couple years of their career. Nova Southeastern University graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans.
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University Of North Georgia ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best legal research schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Dahlonega. University Of North Georgia graduates 50% of students within six years. About 17 legal research degrees were awarded at University Of North Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal research degree from University Of North Georgia earn around $43,714 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,439.
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Georgia State University landed the #23 spot for legal research this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Georgia State University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Georgia State University in the most recent data year. Legal Research graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. Georgia State University graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans.
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Liberty University earned the #24 position for legal research this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 169 legal research degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal research degree from Liberty University earn around $48,834 in the first couple years of their career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 24 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.