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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Legal Studies Master’s Degree Schools

4 Colleges in the United States
295 Legal Studies Degrees Awarded
$49,963 Avg Early-Career Salary

Legal Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 207 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best legal studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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These are the top schools for a master’s degree in legal studies, based on student outcomes and program quality.

1

Leading the list is University Of Arizona, our #1 school for legal studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students 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

2

Students looking for a strong legal studies program will find one at Texas State University San Marcos, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal studies from Texas State University San Marcos

3

Pace University New York came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best legal studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 legal studies degrees were awarded at Pace University New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal studies 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 $25,670. Get the full legal studies details for Pace University New York

4

Students looking for a strong legal studies program will find one at West Virginia University, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. About 64% of students finish within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 13 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772. Read more about the legal studies program at West Virginia University

5

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best legal studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Springfield. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates 52% of students within six years. About 16 legal studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from University Of Illinois At Springfield earn around $53,344 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete this degree. See the full legal studies program report for University Of Illinois At Springfield

6
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University landed the #6 spot for legal studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Highland Heights. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $52,565 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,572. See the full legal studies program report for Northern Kentucky University

7
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best legal studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 legal studies degrees were awarded at Webster University in the most recent year. Legal Studies graduates of Webster University earn a median of $57,152 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete this degree. See the full legal studies program report for Webster University

8

American Public University System came in at #8 for legal studies this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the town of Charles Town. American Public University System graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 44 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at American Public University System in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $52,022. American Public University System graduates carry a median of $41,008 in student loans. See the full legal studies program report for American Public University System

9

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras placed #9 among the best legal studies schools. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn around $24,881 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,673 to complete this degree. Get the full legal studies details for University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Legal Studies rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Legal Studies
Associate's Degrees in Legal Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Legal Studies
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View All Legal Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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