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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Legal Studies Schools in New York

2 Colleges in the United States
311 Legal Studies Degrees Awarded
$44,705 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 14 schools to find the best for legal studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall legal studies education in New York.

1

Leading the list is University At Buffalo, our #1 school for legal studies. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 71 legal studies degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $52,403 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232. More information about a degree in legal studies from University At Buffalo

2

Students looking for a strong legal studies program will find one at Saint John Fisher College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Saint John Fisher College graduates 74% of students within six years. Saint John Fisher College awarded about 20 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of Saint John Fisher College earn a median of $55,630 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,086. Read more about the legal studies program at Saint John Fisher College

3

Pace University New York is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #3 spot 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. Typical student debt for the program is $25,670. Get the full legal studies details for Pace University New York

4

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates 56% of students within six years. About 104 legal studies degrees were awarded at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn around $32,649 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Read more about the legal studies program at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

5

St Johns University New York is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal studies, ranking #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Queens. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. St Johns University New York awarded about 89 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $29,307 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,030 to complete this degree. Get the full legal studies details for St Johns University New York

6
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best legal studies schools. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. Mercy College awarded about 17 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from Mercy College earn around $38,579 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,250. See the full legal studies program report for Mercy College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 14 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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