Legal Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 207 schools to find the best for legal studies students.
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Choosing a Great Legal Studies School
The school you choose for legal studies can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Legal Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Legal Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Legal Studies in the United States
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 studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Vanderbilt University tops our 2026 ranking of the best legal studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 23 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $77,997 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
Get the full legal studies details for Vanderbilt University
Auburn University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal studies, ranking #2. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 66 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $55,422 in their early career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans.
Read more about the legal studies program at Auburn University
A rank of #3 makes Drake University one of the top schools for legal studies. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from Drake University earn around $56,228 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273.
More information about a degree in legal studies from Drake University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Miami one of the top schools for legal studies. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 46 legal studies degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $49,624. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
See the full legal studies program report for University Of Miami
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal studies, ranking #5. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 163 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $43,886. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,723 in student loans.
Get the full legal studies details for University Of California Berkeley
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best legal studies schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 104 legal studies degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $39,558 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,383 to complete this degree.
Get the full legal studies details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for legal studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 90 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $41,144 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,980.
Get the full legal studies details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
American University landed the #8 spot for legal studies this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 legal studies degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Legal Studies graduates of American University earn a median of $45,790 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,375.
Read more about the legal studies program at American University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #9 for legal studies this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530.
Read more about the legal studies program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Arizona ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best legal studies schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 141 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $50,834 in their early career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans.
Read more about the legal studies program at University Of Arizona
University At Buffalo landed the #11 spot for legal studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Buffalo. University At Buffalo graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 71 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232.
Read more about the legal studies program at University At Buffalo
Samford University earned the #12 position for legal studies this year. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Samford University awarded about 16 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $64,132. Typical student debt for the program is $21,039.
More information about a degree in legal studies from Samford University
Arizona State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best legal studies schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 143 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from Arizona State University earn around $42,228 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,827 to complete this degree.
See the full legal studies program report for Arizona State University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #14 spot for legal studies this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 87 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $36,181 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000.
Get the full legal studies details for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best legal studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Tacoma. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $39,558 in their early career. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates carry a median of $17,383 in student loans.
Read more about the legal studies program at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Belmont University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best legal studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 17 legal studies degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $49,699 in their early career. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans.
See the full legal studies program report for Belmont University
Dickinson College came in at #17 for legal studies this year. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 14 legal studies degrees were awarded at Dickinson College in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $39,937 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,014 to complete this degree.
Read more about the legal studies program at Dickinson College
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best legal studies schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. About 63 legal studies degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $47,456 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,659.
See the full legal studies program report for Texas State University San Marcos
Saint John Fisher College came in at #19 for legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint John Fisher College graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint John Fisher College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Saint John Fisher College generally make around $55,630. Typical student debt for the program is $25,086.
See the full legal studies program report for Saint John Fisher College
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #20 among the best legal studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater awarded about 14 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $45,767 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,306.
Read more about the legal studies program at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #21 among the best legal studies schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 104 legal studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Legal Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $36,941 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $18,416 in student loans.
See the full legal studies program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #22 spot for legal studies this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. About 70% of students finish within six years. Ramapo College Of New Jersey awarded about 19 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $48,545 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,014.
Read more about the legal studies program at Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #23 among the best legal studies schools. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University World Campus graduates 34% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent data year.
Read more about the legal studies program at Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #24 for legal studies this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn around $56,998 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,677.
Read more about the legal studies program at University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Pace University New York landed the #25 spot for legal studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Pace University New York awarded about 10 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $59,662. Pace University New York graduates carry a median of $25,670 in student loans.
More information about a degree in legal studies from Pace University New York
Rest of the Top 50 Legal Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s legal studies ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 207 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).
