2026 Best Legal Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Our analysis ranked Vanderbilt University the best school in the country for a degree in legal studies. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Vanderbilt University awarded about 23 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. Read more about the legal studies program at Vanderbilt University

2

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. See the full legal studies program report for Auburn University

3

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

A rank of #3 makes University Of Miami one of the top schools for legal studies. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 46 legal studies degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $49,624 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree. See the full legal studies program report for University Of Miami

4

Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Birmingham. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 16 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Samford University in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete this degree. See the full legal studies program report for Samford University

5

Belmont University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #5 makes Belmont University one of the top schools for legal studies. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Belmont University graduates 70% of students within six years. Belmont University awarded about 17 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal studies program at Belmont University

6

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University landed the #6 spot for legal studies this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $51,750 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772. More information about a degree in legal studies from West Virginia University

7

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #7 position for legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. About 189 legal studies degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $34,408 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,422 in student loans. See the full legal studies program report for University Of Central Florida

8

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #8 for legal studies this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Northern Kentucky University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete this degree. Get the full legal studies details for Northern Kentucky University

9

Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University earned the #9 position for legal studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 legal studies degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $32,967. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. More information about a degree in legal studies from Lipscomb University

10

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best legal studies schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 194 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $68,359. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full legal studies details for University Of Georgia

11

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #11 for legal studies this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. University Of Mississippi Main Campus awarded about 40 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal studies degree from University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn around $38,387 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750. More information about a degree in legal studies from University Of Mississippi Main Campus

12

Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University earned the #12 position for legal studies this year. Located in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 10 legal studies degrees were awarded at Lander University in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $37,548 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,064 to complete this degree. See the full legal studies program report for Lander University

13

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System earned the #13 position for legal studies this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. About 47% of students finish within six years. American Public University System awarded about 114 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $49,066 in their early career. American Public University System graduates carry a median of $41,008 in student loans. Get the full legal studies details for American Public University System

14

Morehead State University
Morehead, KY

Morehead State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best legal studies schools. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Morehead State University awarded about 11 legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal studies program make about $28,504 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,230. See the full legal studies program report for Morehead State University

15

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #15 spot for legal studies this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 31 legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in the most recent data year. Legal Studies graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,653. Read more about the legal studies program at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

16

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earned the #16 position for legal studies this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 22 legal studies degrees were awarded at Keiser University Ft Lauderdale in the most recent year. Legal Studies graduates of Keiser University Ft Lauderdale earn a median of $30,149 early in their careers. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale graduates carry a median of $53,949 in student loans. Read more about the legal studies program at Keiser University Ft Lauderdale

17

National Park Community College
Hot Springs, AR

National Park Community College earned the #17 position for legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 12 legal studies degrees were awarded at National Park Community College in the most recent year. Legal Studies graduates of National Park Community College earn a median of $42,458 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,162 to complete this degree. Get the full legal studies details for National Park Community College