Non-Professional General Legal Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 293 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for non-professional general legal studies students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Non-Professional General Legal Studies School
The non-professional general legal studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Non-Professional General Legal Studies 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.
Non-Professional General Legal Studies Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Vanderbilt University tops our 2026 ranking of the best non-professional general 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. About 23 non-professional general legal studies degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
See the full non-professional general legal studies program report for Vanderbilt University
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best non-professional general legal studies schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 non-professional general legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans.
See the full non-professional general legal studies program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Auburn University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in non-professional general legal studies, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 66 non-professional general legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans.
More information about a degree in non-professional general legal studies from Auburn University
Drake University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best non-professional general legal studies schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 non-professional general legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the non-professional general legal studies program make about $56,228 in their early career. Drake University graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans.
More information about a degree in non-professional general legal studies from Drake University
Students looking for a strong non-professional general legal studies program will find one at University Of Miami, which ranked #5. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. University Of Miami awarded about 46 non-professional general legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, non-professional general 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 non-professional general legal studies program report for University Of Miami
University Of California Berkeley landed the #6 spot for non-professional general legal studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 163 non-professional general legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the non-professional general legal studies program make about $43,886 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,723 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in non-professional general legal studies from University Of California Berkeley
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #7 spot for non-professional general legal studies this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 104 non-professional general legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their non-professional general legal studies degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $39,558 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,383.
Get the full non-professional general legal studies details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #8 among the best non-professional general legal studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 90 non-professional general legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $41,144. Typical student debt for the program is $20,980.
More information about a degree in non-professional general legal studies from University Of Wisconsin Madison
American University landed the #9 spot for non-professional general legal studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 non-professional general legal studies students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the non-professional general legal studies program make about $45,790 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,375.
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Thomas Jefferson University landed the #10 spot for non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 12 non-professional general legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $64,243. Thomas Jefferson University graduates carry a median of $32,256 in student loans.
Read more about the non-professional general legal studies program at Thomas Jefferson University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #11 spot for non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 non-professional general legal studies degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530.
Get the full non-professional general legal studies details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Arizona came in at #12 for non-professional general legal studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 141 non-professional general legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in non-professional general legal studies from University Of Arizona
University At Buffalo earned the #13 position for non-professional general legal studies this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 71 non-professional general legal studies degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Students who receive their non-professional general legal studies degree from University At Buffalo earn around $52,403 in the first couple years of their career. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans.
More information about a degree in non-professional general legal studies from University At Buffalo
Samford University placed #14 among the best non-professional general legal studies schools. 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 non-professional general legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $64,132. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete this degree.
See the full non-professional general legal studies program report for Samford University
Siena College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best non-professional general legal studies schools. Located in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 30 non-professional general legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Siena College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their non-professional general legal studies degree from Siena College earn around $32,435 in the first couple years of their career. Siena College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in non-professional general legal studies from Siena College
Arizona State University landed the #16 spot for non-professional general legal studies this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Arizona State University awarded about 143 non-professional general legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $42,228 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,827.
See the full non-professional general legal studies program report for Arizona State University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #17 for non-professional general 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%. About 87 non-professional general legal studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Graduates of the non-professional general legal studies program make about $36,181 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in non-professional general legal studies from University Of Massachusetts Amherst
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best non-professional general legal studies schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 non-professional general legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $39,558. Typical student debt for the program is $17,383.
Read more about the non-professional general legal studies program at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Belmont University landed the #19 spot for non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 non-professional general legal studies degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete this degree.
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Dickinson College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best non-professional general legal studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Carlisle. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 non-professional general legal studies degrees were awarded at Dickinson College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Dickinson College generally make around $39,937. Students borrow a median of $19,014 to complete this degree.
See the full non-professional general legal studies program report for Dickinson College
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #21 for non-professional general legal studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 63 non-professional general legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in non-professional general legal studies from Texas State University San Marcos
Saint John Fisher College landed the #22 spot for non-professional general legal studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rochester. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 non-professional general legal studies degrees were awarded at Saint John Fisher College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Saint John Fisher College generally make around $55,630. Saint John Fisher College graduates carry a median of $25,086 in student loans.
Read more about the non-professional general legal studies program at Saint John Fisher College
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #23 for non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater awarded about 14 non-professional general legal studies degrees in the most recent data year. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #24 for non-professional general legal studies this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 104 non-professional general legal studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $36,941 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,416 to complete this degree.
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Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #25 among the best non-professional general legal studies schools. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 non-professional general legal studies students who graduated with this degree at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Students who receive their non-professional general legal studies degree from Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn around $48,545 in the first couple years of their career. Ramapo College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $24,014 in student loans.
More information about a degree in non-professional general legal studies from Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Rest of the Top 50 Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong non-professional general legal studies education:
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 · 293 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).
