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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Advanced Legal Research/Studies Master’s Degree Schools

10 Colleges in the United States
3,571 General Advanced Legal Research/Studies Degrees Awarded
$72,206 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Advanced Legal Research/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 90 schools to find the best for general advanced legal research/studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Below are the best general advanced legal research/studies schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

1
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University tops our 2026 ranking of the best general advanced legal research/studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 182 general advanced legal research/studies degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree. See the full general advanced legal research/studies program report for New York University

2
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general advanced legal research/studies schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 207 general advanced legal research/studies students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general advanced legal research/studies program make about $130,394 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete this degree. Read more about the general advanced legal research/studies program at Georgetown University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for general advanced legal research/studies. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 85 general advanced legal research/studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Typical student debt for the program is $20,778. Read more about the general advanced legal research/studies program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general advanced legal research/studies, ranking #4. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 102 general advanced legal research/studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general advanced legal research/studies degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $99,682 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. Read more about the general advanced legal research/studies program at University Of Pennsylvania

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for general advanced legal research/studies. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 33 general advanced legal research/studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general advanced legal research/studies degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $66,254 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general advanced legal research/studies from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

6
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University earned the #6 position for general advanced legal research/studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 171 general advanced legal research/studies students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. Get the full general advanced legal research/studies details for Harvard University

7

Texas A And M University College Station placed #7 among the best general advanced legal research/studies schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 432 general advanced legal research/studies degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Students who receive their general advanced legal research/studies degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $102,721 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree. Get the full general advanced legal research/studies details for Texas A And M University College Station

8

University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #8 among the best general advanced legal research/studies schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 general advanced legal research/studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $114,376 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923. More information about a degree in general advanced legal research/studies from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

9

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #9 spot for general advanced legal research/studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 337 general advanced legal research/studies students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general advanced legal research/studies degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $130,948 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. Get the full general advanced legal research/studies details for Columbia University In The City Of New York

10

University Of Connecticut earned the #10 position for general advanced legal research/studies this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 general advanced legal research/studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Read more about the general advanced legal research/studies program at University Of Connecticut

11
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #11 for general advanced legal research/studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stanford University awarded about 83 general advanced legal research/studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general advanced legal research/studies degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. See the full general advanced legal research/studies program report for Stanford University

12
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University earned the #12 position for general advanced legal research/studies this year. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. About 89% of students finish within six years. Wake Forest University awarded about 42 general advanced legal research/studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general advanced legal research/studies degree from Wake Forest University earn around $67,369 in the first couple years of their career. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. More information about a degree in general advanced legal research/studies from Wake Forest University

13

George Washington University came in at #13 for general advanced legal research/studies this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. George Washington University awarded about 25 general advanced legal research/studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $90,624. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree. Read more about the general advanced legal research/studies program at George Washington University

14

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general advanced legal research/studies schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 225 general advanced legal research/studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general advanced legal research/studies degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $91,677 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. See the full general advanced legal research/studies program report for University Of California Los Angeles

15

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general advanced legal research/studies schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. About 27 general advanced legal research/studies degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general advanced legal research/studies program make about $58,659 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete this degree. See the full general advanced legal research/studies program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

16

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #16 for general advanced legal research/studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 12 general advanced legal research/studies degrees were awarded at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their general advanced legal research/studies degree from Illinois Institute Of Technology earn around $71,315 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Get the full general advanced legal research/studies details for Illinois Institute Of Technology

17
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University landed the #17 spot for general advanced legal research/studies this year. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 general advanced legal research/studies students who graduated with this degree at Seattle University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general advanced legal research/studies degree from Seattle University earn around $63,214 in the first couple years of their career. Seattle University graduates carry a median of $22,289 in student loans. See the full general advanced legal research/studies program report for Seattle University

18

Northeastern University Global Network earned the #18 position for general advanced legal research/studies this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University Global Network is a large private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 21 general advanced legal research/studies students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University Global Network in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from Northeastern University Global Network generally make around $78,054. Northeastern University Global Network graduates carry a median of $27,055 in student loans. More information about a degree in general advanced legal research/studies from Northeastern University Global Network

19

University Of Notre Dame placed #19 among the best general advanced legal research/studies schools. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 13 general advanced legal research/studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general advanced legal research/studies degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $69,494 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Notre Dame graduates carry a median of $19,891 in student loans. More information about a degree in general advanced legal research/studies from University Of Notre Dame

20

University Of Maryland Baltimore earned the #20 position for general advanced legal research/studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Baltimore. About 38 general advanced legal research/studies degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland Baltimore in the most recent year. Students who receive their general advanced legal research/studies degree from University Of Maryland Baltimore earn around $86,070 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full general advanced legal research/studies details for University Of Maryland Baltimore

21
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general advanced legal research/studies schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 general advanced legal research/studies students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general advanced legal research/studies program make about $74,578 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. See the full general advanced legal research/studies program report for Yale University

22

Northeastern University earned the #22 position for general advanced legal research/studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Northeastern University awarded about 31 general advanced legal research/studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $74,800. Typical student debt for the program is $25,611. Get the full general advanced legal research/studies details for Northeastern University

23

The University Of Texas At Austin placed #23 among the best general advanced legal research/studies schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 general advanced legal research/studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general advanced legal research/studies degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $57,819 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Get the full general advanced legal research/studies details for The University Of Texas At Austin

24

University Of Georgia came in at #24 for general advanced legal research/studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 general advanced legal research/studies degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their general advanced legal research/studies degree from University Of Georgia earn around $53,546 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. See the full general advanced legal research/studies program report for University Of Georgia

25

Florida International University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general advanced legal research/studies schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida International University awarded about 23 general advanced legal research/studies degrees in the most recent data year. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,349. More information about a degree in general advanced legal research/studies from Florida International University

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general advanced legal research/studies ranking:

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28
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
29
30
31
32
33
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
34
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN
35
36
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
37
38
39
40
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
41
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43
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Looking for a different degree level? Compare General Advanced Legal Research/Studies rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Advanced Legal Research/Studies
Associate's Degrees in General Advanced Legal Research/Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in General Advanced Legal Research/Studies
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View All General Advanced Legal Research/Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 90 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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