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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Legal Research Schools in New York

1 Colleges in the United States
1,335 Legal Research Degrees Awarded
$79,499 Avg Early-Career Salary

Legal Research 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.

College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best legal research schools.

What’s on this page:

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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall legal research education in New York.

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

No school ranked higher than New York University this year for legal research. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 475 legal research degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $64,516 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal research from New York University

2

Cornell University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best legal research schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Cornell University awarded about 205 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal research program make about $75,976 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005. More information about a degree in legal research from Cornell University

3

Columbia University In The City Of New York is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal research, ranking #3. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 376 legal research 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 legal research degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $175,901 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. See the full legal research program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

4

Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal research, landing the #4 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 14 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal research degree from Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn around $80,825 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree. See the full legal research program report for Cuny Graduate School And University Center

5

Fordham University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal research, ranking #5. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 115 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $82,764. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. Get the full legal research details for Fordham University

6
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University came in at #6 for legal research this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. About 84% of students finish within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 28 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete this degree. See the full legal research program report for Syracuse University

7
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University landed the #7 spot for legal research this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hempstead. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Hofstra University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $74,178. Hofstra University graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Read more about the legal research program at Hofstra University

8
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University earned the #8 position for legal research this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Yeshiva University graduates 85% of students within six years. Yeshiva University awarded about 18 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal research degree from Yeshiva University earn around $46,411 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,625. See the full legal research program report for Yeshiva University

9

St Johns University New York placed #9 among the best legal research schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Queens. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. St Johns University New York awarded about 42 legal research degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $74,248. St Johns University New York graduates carry a median of $25,521 in student loans. See the full legal research program report for St Johns University New York

10
Albany Law School crest
Albany Law School
Albany, NY

Albany Law School came in at #10 for legal research this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Albany. There were roughly 40 legal research students who graduated with this degree at Albany Law School in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal research degree from Albany Law School earn around $65,381 in the first couple years of their career. See the full legal research program report for Albany Law School

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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 · 16 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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