by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in International Law & Legal Studies involves the study of International Law And Legal Studies. An Advanced, Professional Study Of The Law Affecting Relations Between Nations, The Behavior Of International Organizations, And The International Activities Of Private Citizens And Organizations. Examples: [International Law And Legal Studies (Ll.m.)], [International Law And Legal Studies (J.s.d./s.j.d.)]. Read on to learn the key facts every international law & legal studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering international law & legal studies programs.
Nationwide, international law & legal studies draws strong interest, with 414 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best International Law & Legal Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 21 schools to determine the best overall colleges for international law & legal studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of international law & legal studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for International Law & Legal Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations international law & legal studies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a international law & legal studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a international law & legal studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several international law & legal studies 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 | 404 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 10 |
People currently working in careers related to international law & legal studies 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 international law & legal studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying international law & legal studies prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to international law & legal studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to international law & legal studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,017,747 | -2.9% |
| Lawyers | 155,305 | 2.6% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of international law & legal studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 international law & legal studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers international law & legal studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary | $91,726 |
| Lawyers | $73,181 |
With 21 different international law & legal studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased international law & legal studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in international law & legal studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
