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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region

35 Colleges in the United States
13,142 Legal Professions Degrees Awarded
$53,033 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 236 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for legal professions students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the legal professions degrees they offer, see the list below.

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Virginia Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in legal professions. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 330 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $204,216 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,627. Read more about the legal professions program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

2
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 66 legal professions degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Legal Professions graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803. Get the full legal professions details for Auburn University

3
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

A rank of #3 makes Duke University one of the top schools for legal professions. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 278 legal professions degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $211,190 in their early career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Read more about the legal professions program at Duke University

4

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 208 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $81,794. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Read more about the legal professions program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

5
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Students looking for a strong legal professions program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #5. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 215 legal professions degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $156,307 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from Vanderbilt University

6
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #6 position for legal professions this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 350 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $106,059 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669. More information about a degree in legal professions from University Of Florida

7

Miami Dade College earned the #7 position for legal professions this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. There were roughly 34 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Miami Dade College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $40,782 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,950 to complete this degree. See the full legal professions program report for Miami Dade College

8
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University came in at #8 for legal professions this year. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 334 legal professions degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $68,212. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. Read more about the legal professions program at Emory University

9

Palm Beach State College landed the #9 spot for legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public university. About 19 legal professions degrees were awarded at Palm Beach State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Palm Beach State College earn around $46,622 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete this degree. Get the full legal professions details for Palm Beach State College

10

George Mason University came in at #10 for legal professions this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. George Mason University awarded about 304 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $77,057 in their early career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from George Mason University

11
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 210 legal professions degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Legal Professions graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $86,344 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. More information about a degree in legal professions from Wake Forest University

12
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College earned the #12 position for legal professions this year. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. There were roughly 25 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Broward College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $51,328 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,110. More information about a degree in legal professions from Broward College

13
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 610 legal professions degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $75,742. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Read more about the legal professions program at University Of Miami

14

Georgia College And State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 37 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Georgia College And State University in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $51,197 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,412 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal professions program at Georgia College And State University

15
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University placed #15 among the best legal professions schools. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 182 legal professions degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Samford University earn around $62,786 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,039. Read more about the legal professions program at Samford University

16

Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #16 for legal professions this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Florida State College At Jacksonville awarded about 39 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Florida State College At Jacksonville graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Read more about the legal professions program at Florida State College At Jacksonville

17

Florida Gulf Coast University placed #17 among the best legal professions schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 67 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $39,824 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,777 to complete this degree. Get the full legal professions details for Florida Gulf Coast University

18
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL

Edison State College placed #18 among the best legal professions schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public institution. Edison State College awarded about 88 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $52,597 in their early career. Edison State College graduates carry a median of $14,624 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from Edison State College

19

Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #19 for legal professions this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 329 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $55,690 in their early career. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from Tulane University Of Louisiana

20
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #20 position for legal professions this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 537 legal professions degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Florida State University earn around $77,507 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full legal professions details for Florida State University

21

Northern Virginia Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. There were roughly 29 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $45,915 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,427. Read more about the legal professions program at Northern Virginia Community College

22
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond came in at #22 for legal professions this year. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 168 legal professions degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Legal Professions graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $66,704 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,634 to complete this degree. See the full legal professions program report for University Of Richmond

23

Hillsborough Community College came in at #23 for legal professions this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 51 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Hillsborough Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Hillsborough Community College earn around $41,694 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,018 to complete this degree. See the full legal professions program report for Hillsborough Community College

24

College Of William And Mary placed #24 among the best legal professions schools. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. College Of William And Mary awarded about 182 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $77,921 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal professions program at College Of William And Mary

25

University Of Georgia ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 411 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $69,174 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full legal professions program report for University Of Georgia

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

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28
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Valencia College
Orlando, FL
29
30
31
32
33
34
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
35
36
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Belmont University
Nashville, TN
37
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Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN
38
39
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St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL
40
41
42
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Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC
43
44
45
46
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Santa Fe College
Gainesville, FL
47
48
49
Saint Thomas University crest
Saint Thomas University
Miami Gardens, FL
50

These schools also stood out for legal professions:

Rank School Location
#64 Keiser University Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL

Honorable Mentions

A few more legal professions schools worth a look:

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View All Legal Professions Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 236 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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