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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Legal Professions Schools in the The Plains States Region

10 Colleges in the United States
3,712 Legal Professions Degrees Awarded
$56,000 Avg Early-Career Salary

Legal Professions programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 79 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best legal professions schools.

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

Leading the list is Washington University In St Louis, our #1 school for legal professions. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 685 legal professions degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Legal Professions graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $59,840 early in their careers. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. See the full legal professions program report for Washington University In St Louis

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 262 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $77,642. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. Read more about the legal professions program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

A rank of #3 makes Des Moines Area Community College one of the top schools for legal professions. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Des Moines Area Community College awarded about 35 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $49,137 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal professions from Des Moines Area Community College

4

Winona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $53,109 early in their careers. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from Winona State University

5
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 176 legal professions degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $78,560. Typical student debt for the program is $24,463. Get the full legal professions details for University Of Iowa

6

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #6 for legal professions this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 19 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $46,503 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,408. Read more about the legal professions program at Missouri State University Springfield

7
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Hamline University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 96 legal professions degrees were awarded at Hamline University in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $40,270 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,050 to complete this degree. Get the full legal professions details for Hamline University

8

Saint Louis Community College came in at #8 for legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Saint Louis Community College awarded about 39 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $31,842 early in their careers. Saint Louis Community College graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from Saint Louis Community College

9

Johnson County Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 31 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Johnson County Community College in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $44,921 early in their careers. Johnson County Community College graduates carry a median of $19,367 in student loans. Read more about the legal professions program at Johnson County Community College

10

University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #10 spot for legal professions this year. This large public university is located in the city of Duluth. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from University Of Minnesota Duluth earn around $46,572 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,624. Get the full legal professions details for University Of Minnesota Duluth

11

Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for legal professions this year. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 191 legal professions degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Saint Louis University Main Campus earn around $71,391 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from Saint Louis University Main Campus

12

University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 191 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $113,927 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923. Get the full legal professions details for University Of St Thomas Minnesota

13
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University earned the #13 position for legal professions this year. Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. Bellevue University awarded about 32 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $44,839 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $36,540 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal professions from Bellevue University

14

Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #14 position for legal professions this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. About 40 legal professions degrees were awarded at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Metropolitan Community College Area earn around $45,583 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal professions from Metropolitan Community College Area

15

North Hennepin Community College landed the #15 spot for legal professions this year. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. There were roughly 22 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at North Hennepin Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from North Hennepin Community College earn around $48,780 in the first couple years of their career. North Hennepin Community College graduates carry a median of $18,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from North Hennepin Community College

16
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #16 among the best legal professions schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of Kansas awarded about 196 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $70,180 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,608. More information about a degree in legal professions from University Of Kansas

17
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University earned the #17 position for legal professions this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 147 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Legal Professions graduates of Drake University earn a median of $65,618 early in their careers. Drake University graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from Drake University

18

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City placed #18 among the best legal professions schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. There were roughly 13 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $46,660 in their early career. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Read more about the legal professions program at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

19
Inver Hills Community College crest
Inver Hills Community College
Inver Grove Heights, MN

Inver Hills Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best legal professions schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights. About 17 legal professions degrees were awarded at Inver Hills Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Inver Hills Community College earn around $49,694 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal professions program at Inver Hills Community College

20
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University landed the #20 spot for legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Webster University awarded about 38 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal professions degree from Webster University earn around $57,152 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,939. More information about a degree in legal professions from Webster University

21

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #21 spot for legal professions this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 161 legal professions degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,791. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from University Of Missouri Columbia

22

Missouri Western State University earned the #22 position for legal professions this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. About 23 legal professions degrees were awarded at Missouri Western State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $41,107 in their early career. Missouri Western State University graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. See the full legal professions program report for Missouri Western State University

23
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College came in at #23 for legal professions this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. There were roughly 20 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $41,681 in their early career. Kirkwood Community College graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal professions from Kirkwood Community College

24

Lake Superior College came in at #24 for legal professions this year. Set in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 17 legal professions students who graduated with this degree at Lake Superior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal professions program make about $42,543 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,156 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal professions program at Lake Superior College

25

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #25 position for legal professions this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 168 legal professions degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $66,354. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal professions from University Of Nebraska Lincoln

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

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 79 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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