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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Legal Professions Schools in New York

10 Colleges in the United States
6,833 Legal Professions Degrees Awarded
$65,224 Avg Early-Career Salary

Legal Professions programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their legal professions programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools to find the best for legal professions students.

What’s on this page:

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

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

New York University tops our 2026 ranking of the best legal professions schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 1,017 legal professions degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Legal Professions graduates of New York University earn a median of $167,839 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree. See the full legal professions program report for New York University

2

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 899 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $176,000 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. See the full legal professions program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

3

Cornell University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 400 legal professions degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $213,356. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005. Get the full legal professions details for Cornell University

4

A rank of #4 makes Fordham University one of the top schools for legal professions. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 664 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $83,272 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,643. See the full legal professions program report for Fordham University

5

A rank of #5 makes Cuny Graduate School And University Center one of the top schools for legal professions. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public university. About 14 legal professions degrees were awarded at Cuny Graduate School And University Center in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal professions 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 professions program report for Cuny Graduate School And University Center

6
Siena College crest
Siena College
Loudonville, NY

Siena College earned the #6 position for legal professions this year. Set in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Siena College graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Siena College in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of Siena College earn a median of $32,435 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full legal professions program report for Siena College

7
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College landed the #7 spot for legal professions this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. There were roughly 47 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Nassau Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $32,464. Nassau Community College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. See the full legal professions program report for Nassau Community College

8

Saint John Fisher College placed #8 among the best legal professions schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 20 legal professions degrees were awarded at Saint John Fisher College in the most recent year. Legal Professions graduates of Saint John Fisher College earn a median of $55,630 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,086. See the full legal professions program report for Saint John Fisher College

9
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University landed the #9 spot for legal professions this year. Set in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Yeshiva University graduates 85% of students within six years. About 377 legal professions degrees were awarded at Yeshiva University in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $47,142 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,625. See the full legal professions program report for Yeshiva University

10
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #10 among the best legal professions schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 240 legal professions degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $67,409. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250. See the full legal professions program report for Syracuse University

11

Suffolk County Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Selden. There were roughly 18 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal professions program at Suffolk County Community College

12

St Johns University New York landed the #12 spot for legal professions this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 400 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at St Johns University New York in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $73,013 early in their careers. St Johns University New York graduates carry a median of $26,030 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from St Johns University New York

13
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College landed the #13 spot for legal professions this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 36 legal professions degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Legal Professions graduates of Marist College earn a median of $41,431 early in their careers. Marist College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full legal professions details for Marist College

14

Cuny New York City College Of Technology placed #14 among the best legal professions schools. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Cuny New York City College Of Technology graduates 21% of students within six years. There were roughly 43 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Cuny New York City College Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $34,675 in their early career. Cuny New York City College Of Technology graduates carry a median of $14,563 in student loans. Get the full legal professions details for Cuny New York City College Of Technology

15

University At Buffalo came in at #15 for legal professions this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. University At Buffalo graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 231 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $64,220 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232. More information about a degree in legal professions from University At Buffalo

16
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University landed the #16 spot for legal professions this year. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Hofstra University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 301 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Hofstra University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $74,089 in their early career. Hofstra University graduates carry a median of $21,693 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from Hofstra University

17

Pace University New York landed the #17 spot for legal professions this year. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 277 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Pace University New York in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Pace University New York earn around $67,469 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,670 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal professions from Pace University New York

18

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice landed the #18 spot for legal professions this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 104 legal professions degrees were awarded at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $32,649 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500. More information about a degree in legal professions from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

19
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #19 position for legal professions this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Cuny Laguardia Community College awarded about 35 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $36,358 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal professions from Cuny Laguardia Community College

20

Suny College Of Technology At Canton came in at #20 for legal professions this year. Located in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Suny College Of Technology At Canton in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Canton earn a median of $48,269 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,708. See the full legal professions program report for Suny College Of Technology At Canton

21

Erie Community College placed #21 among the best legal professions schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. There were roughly 19 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Erie Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Erie Community College earn around $37,069 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,894 to complete this degree. See the full legal professions program report for Erie Community College

22

Suny Westchester Community College placed #22 among the best legal professions schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Valhalla. There were roughly 13 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Suny Westchester Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $57,520 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,764. Read more about the legal professions program at Suny Westchester Community College

23
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College placed #23 among the best legal professions schools. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. Mercy College awarded about 17 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Mercy College earn around $38,579 in the first couple years of their career. Mercy College graduates carry a median of $29,250 in student loans. Read more about the legal professions program at Mercy College

24

Monroe Community College came in at #24 for legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 15 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Monroe Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $34,799 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal professions program at Monroe Community College

25
Plaza College crest
Plaza College
Forest Hills, NY

Plaza College came in at #25 for legal professions this year. Set in the city of Forest Hills, Plaza College is a small private for-profit institution. Plaza College awarded about 30 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $29,454 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete this degree. See the full legal professions program report for Plaza College

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s legal professions ranking:

26
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY
27
28
29
Albany Law School crest
Albany Law School
Albany, NY
30
Brooklyn Law School crest
Brooklyn Law School
Brooklyn, NY
31
New York Law School crest
New York Law School
New York, NY
32

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 64 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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