by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Pre-Law involves the study of Pre-Law Studies. A Program That Prepares Individuals For The Professional Study Of Law At The Post-Baccalaureate Level. Read on to learn the key facts every pre-law student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering pre-law programs.
In the U.S., pre-law draws strong interest, with 723 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Pre-Law Schools ranking analyzes these 60 schools to determine the best overall colleges for pre-law students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of pre-law programs later in this article.
There are several pre-law degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 28 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 66 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 465 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 164 |
With 60 different pre-law programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased pre-law school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in pre-law, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | 4,068 |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies, Other | 5 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
