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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southwest Region

16 Colleges in the United States
7,266 Legal Professions Degrees Awarded
$49,955 Avg Early-Career Salary

Legal Professions is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 106 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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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall legal professions education in the Southwest Region.

1

Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Austin, our #1 school for legal professions. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. About 431 legal professions degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Legal Professions graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $103,039 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 1,003 legal professions degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $102,711 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal professions program at Texas A And M University College Station

3

Southern Methodist University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 284 legal professions degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $78,750. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712. Read more about the legal professions program at Southern Methodist University

4

Baylor University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Baylor University awarded about 205 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $85,368. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete this degree. See the full legal professions program report for Baylor University

5

Arizona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #5 spot this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 650 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Arizona State University earn around $55,204 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $19,827 in student loans. Read more about the legal professions program at Arizona State University

6

Texas State University San Marcos landed the #6 spot for legal professions this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 63 legal professions degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Legal Professions graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $47,456 early in their careers. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. See the full legal professions program report for Texas State University San Marcos

7

Tarrant County College District earned the #7 position for legal professions this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fort Worth. Tarrant County College District awarded about 31 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $38,404 in their early career. Tarrant County College District graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from Tarrant County College District

8

University Of Arizona landed the #8 spot for legal professions this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 578 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $52,513 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,937. Read more about the legal professions program at University Of Arizona

9

University Of Houston ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston awarded about 302 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $88,163. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete this degree. Get the full legal professions details for University Of Houston

10

University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 19 legal professions degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Clear Lake in the most recent year. Legal Professions graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $42,723 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal professions program at University Of Houston Clear Lake

11

Austin Community College District placed #11 among the best legal professions schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Austin Community College District awarded about 33 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $46,216 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,242 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal professions from Austin Community College District

12

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 416 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $68,498 early in their careers. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Read more about the legal professions program at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

13

Texas A And M University Commerce placed #13 among the best legal professions schools. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Texas A And M University Commerce graduates 43% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Texas A And M University Commerce earn around $54,201 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,375 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal professions program at Texas A And M University Commerce

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El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. About 41 legal professions degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Legal Professions graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $33,381 early in their careers. El Centro College graduates carry a median of $17,294 in student loans. Read more about the legal professions program at El Centro College

15
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University placed #15 among the best legal professions schools. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Tarleton State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Tarleton State University earn around $50,532 in the first couple years of their career. Tarleton State University graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from Tarleton State University

16
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. About 67 legal professions degrees were awarded at Phoenix College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $42,374. Phoenix College graduates carry a median of $16,679 in student loans. Get the full legal professions details for Phoenix College

17

Alvin Community College landed the #17 spot for legal professions this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Alvin. There were roughly 25 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Alvin Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $55,057 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,600. Get the full legal professions details for Alvin Community College

18
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System landed the #18 spot for legal professions this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. About 75 legal professions degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Lone Star College System earn around $36,678 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,251. Get the full legal professions details for Lone Star College System

19

Houston Community College came in at #19 for legal professions this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. There were roughly 76 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Houston Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000. Get the full legal professions details for Houston Community College

20

Collin County Community College District came in at #20 for legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 74 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Collin County Community College District in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. Typical student debt for the program is $9,716. See the full legal professions program report for Collin County Community College District

21

Northeastern State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 35% of students finish within six years. About 12 legal professions degrees were awarded at Northeastern State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Northeastern State University earn around $49,353 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,465. See the full legal professions program report for Northeastern State University

22

San Jacinto Community College placed #22 among the best legal professions schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 37 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $38,107 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,376. See the full legal professions program report for San Jacinto Community College

23
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX

Blinn College landed the #23 spot for legal professions this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Blinn College awarded about 39 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $43,408 in their early career. Blinn College graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from Blinn College

24

The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #24 among the best legal professions schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. About 53% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 70 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $23,017 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full legal professions program report for The University Of Texas At San Antonio

25

Central New Mexico Community College placed #25 among the best legal professions schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. There were roughly 46 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete this degree. Get the full legal professions details for Central New Mexico Community College

These schools also placed among the best for legal professions this year:

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St Marys University crest
St Marys University
San Antonio, TX
31
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX
32
Odessa College crest
Odessa College
Odessa, TX
33
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX
34
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ
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South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX
38
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX
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Oklahoma City University crest
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK
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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 · 106 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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