by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Comparative Law explores Comparative Law. An Advanced, Professional Study Of Legal Systems And Philosophies In Comparative Perspective. Examples: [Comparative Law (Ll.m., M.c.l.)], [Comparative Law (J.s.d./s.j.d.)]. Continue reading for the essential details every comparative law major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering comparative law programs.
In the U.S., comparative law is a popular field of study, with 31 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Comparative Law Schools ranking analyzes these 6 schools to determine the best overall colleges for comparative law students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of comparative law programs later in this article.
Studies in Comparative Law build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations comparative law graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a comparative law program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a comparative law major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several comparative 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 31 |
People currently working in careers related to comparative law tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| First professional degree | 43.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 40.6% |
| Master’s degree | 13.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in comparative law careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in comparative law opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to comparative law.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to comparative law.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,017,747 | -2.9% |
| Lawyers | 155,305 | 2.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of comparative law graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $78,306 |
| 4 years | $93,383 |
| 5 years | $107,509 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for comparative law graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers comparative law grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | $91,726 |
| Lawyers | $73,181 |
With 6 different comparative law programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased comparative law school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in comparative law, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
