Law and legal studies ยท bachelor's degree
Legal studies major: colleges and pay
146 colleges in our data award bachelor's degrees in legal studies, 3,241 of them in 2023-24. Graduates of the typical program earned $43,973 a year after graduating and $63,727 four years after.
Colleges offering it146
Graduates in 2023-243,241
Typical median debt$20,750
Typical earnings 1 yr after$43,973
Typical earnings 4 yrs after$63,727
Earnings to debt2.1x
Official field name: Non-Professional Legal Studies.
Colleges where legal studies graduates earn the most
Programs with at least 10 graduates in 2023-24, ranked by median earnings four years after graduation.
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL | 66 | n/a | $99,836 | $18,875 |
| Quinnipiac UniversityHamden, CT | 26 | $35,294 | $74,835 | $24,187 |
| University of the District of ColumbiaWashington, DC | 19 | $41,138 | $74,158 | $28,750 |
| American UniversityWashington, DC | 40 | $57,941 | $72,792 | $21,375 |
| Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI | 116 | $40,123 | $72,414 | $18,120 |
| University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA | 123 | $48,780 | $71,042 | $15,827 |
| University of Washington-Tacoma CampusTacoma, WA | 27 | $48,780 | $71,042 | $15,827 |
| University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD | 106 | $56,595 | $70,845 | $22,000 |
| University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CA | 205 | $51,139 | $70,636 | $12,812 |
| Suffolk UniversityBoston, MA | 65 | $51,539 | $70,274 | $27,000 |
| University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI | 137 | $42,529 | $70,123 | $17,499 |
| University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA | 111 | $32,323 | $69,269 | $21,500 |
| University of La VerneLa Verne, CA | 12 | n/a | $66,373 | n/a |
| University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA | 114 | $41,760 | $66,244 | $13,803 |
| Hamline UniversitySaint Paul, MN | 28 | $46,377 | $65,460 | $24,525 |
| St. John's University-New YorkQueens, NY | 89 | $43,920 | $65,316 | $20,000 |
| University of DenverDenver, CO | 20 | n/a | $63,727 | $20,000 |
| American Public University SystemCharles Town, WV | 70 | $55,769 | $61,532 | $26,325 |
| Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ | 94 | $43,551 | $61,356 | $18,500 |
| Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale, AZ | 32 | $43,551 | $61,356 | $18,500 |
| Pennsylvania State University-World CampusUniversity Park, PA | 25 | $53,147 | $60,745 | $25,000 |
| University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL | 190 | $41,729 | $59,715 | $17,625 |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York, NY | 104 | $42,707 | $57,073 | $10,875 |
| St. John Fisher UniversityRochester, NY | 24 | n/a | $54,899 | $20,500 |
| Bellevue UniversityBellevue, NE | 32 | $44,026 | $54,320 | $25,000 |
Largest legal studies programs
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CA | 205 | $51,139 | $70,636 | $12,812 |
| University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL | 190 | $41,729 | $59,715 | $17,625 |
| Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA | 165 | $53,846 | n/a | $22,165 |
| University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI | 137 | $42,529 | $70,123 | $17,499 |
| University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA | 123 | $48,780 | $71,042 | $15,827 |
| Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI | 116 | $40,123 | $72,414 | $18,120 |
| University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA | 114 | $41,760 | $66,244 | $13,803 |
| University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA | 111 | $32,323 | $69,269 | $21,500 |
| University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD | 106 | $56,595 | $70,845 | $22,000 |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York, NY | 104 | $42,707 | $57,073 | $10,875 |
| Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ | 94 | $43,551 | $61,356 | $18,500 |
| St. John's University-New YorkQueens, NY | 89 | $43,920 | $65,316 | $20,000 |
| University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY | 85 | $30,467 | n/a | $20,381 |
| American Public University SystemCharles Town, WV | 70 | $55,769 | $61,532 | $26,325 |
| University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL | 66 | n/a | $99,836 | $18,875 |
Every college with a legal studies major
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL | 66 | n/a | $99,836 | $18,875 |
| Quinnipiac UniversityHamden, CT | 26 | $35,294 | $74,835 | $24,187 |
| University of the District of ColumbiaWashington, DC | 19 | $41,138 | $74,158 | $28,750 |
| American UniversityWashington, DC | 40 | $57,941 | $72,792 | $21,375 |
| Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI | 116 | $40,123 | $72,414 | $18,120 |
| University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA | 123 | $48,780 | $71,042 | $15,827 |
| University of Washington-Tacoma CampusTacoma, WA | 27 | $48,780 | $71,042 | $15,827 |
| University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD | 106 | $56,595 | $70,845 | $22,000 |
| University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CA | 205 | $51,139 | $70,636 | $12,812 |
| Suffolk UniversityBoston, MA | 65 | $51,539 | $70,274 | $27,000 |
| University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI | 137 | $42,529 | $70,123 | $17,499 |
| University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA | 111 | $32,323 | $69,269 | $21,500 |
| University of La VerneLa Verne, CA | 12 | n/a | $66,373 | n/a |
| University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA | 114 | $41,760 | $66,244 | $13,803 |
| Hamline UniversitySaint Paul, MN | 28 | $46,377 | $65,460 | $24,525 |
| St. John's University-New YorkQueens, NY | 89 | $43,920 | $65,316 | $20,000 |
| University of DenverDenver, CO | 20 | n/a | $63,727 | $20,000 |
| American Public University SystemCharles Town, WV | 70 | $55,769 | $61,532 | $26,325 |
| Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ | 94 | $43,551 | $61,356 | $18,500 |
| Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale, AZ | 32 | $43,551 | $61,356 | $18,500 |
| Pennsylvania State University-World CampusUniversity Park, PA | 25 | $53,147 | $60,745 | $25,000 |
| University of New HavenWest Haven, CT | 9 | n/a | $60,438 | n/a |
| University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL | 190 | $41,729 | $59,715 | $17,625 |
| Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI | 8 | n/a | $57,108 | n/a |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York, NY | 104 | $42,707 | $57,073 | $10,875 |
| St. John Fisher UniversityRochester, NY | 24 | n/a | $54,899 | $20,500 |
| Bellevue UniversityBellevue, NE | 32 | $44,026 | $54,320 | $25,000 |
| Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FL | 22 | $44,490 | $53,101 | $51,281 |
| Post UniversityWaterbury, CT | 33 | $46,345 | $51,731 | $43,162 |
| Mercy UniversityDobbs Ferry, NY | 17 | $41,535 | $51,161 | $21,375 |
| Bay Path UniversityLongmeadow, MA | 3 | n/a | $48,575 | n/a |
| Crestpoint UniversityPhoenix, AZ | 45 | $45,487 | $46,114 | $39,821 |
| Morehead State UniversityMorehead, KY | 14 | n/a | $40,990 | n/a |
| Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA | 8 | $54,578 | n/a | n/a |
| Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA | 165 | $53,846 | n/a | $22,165 |
| Northeastern State UniversityTahlequah, OK | 12 | $47,430 | n/a | n/a |
| Drake UniversityDes Moines, IA | 35 | $44,185 | n/a | $20,500 |
| University of Massachusetts GlobalAliso Viejo, CA | 8 | $43,901 | n/a | n/a |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA | 7 | $41,769 | n/a | n/a |
| The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX | 57 | $39,113 | n/a | $20,500 |
| William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ | 19 | $37,512 | n/a | $21,000 |
| University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY | 85 | $30,467 | n/a | $20,381 |
| Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL | 66 | n/a | n/a | $20,000 |
| Barry UniversityMiami, FL | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Belmont UniversityNashville, TN | 19 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bennington CollegeBennington, VT | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bethany Lutheran CollegeMankato, MN | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake, IA | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cedarville UniversityCedarville, OH | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Champlain CollegeBurlington, VT | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chapman UniversityOrange, CA | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Charleston Southern UniversityCharleston, SC | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chestnut Hill CollegePhiladelphia, PA | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Culver-Stockton CollegeCanton, MO | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| DeSales UniversityCenter Valley, PA | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Dickinson CollegeCarlisle, PA | 18 | n/a | n/a | $23,000 |
| Doane UniversityCrete, NE | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Dominican UniversityRiver Forest, IL | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| East Central UniversityAda, OK | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Elizabethtown CollegeElizabethtown, PA | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Elmira CollegeElmira, NY | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Emmanuel UniversityFranklin Springs, GA | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Faulkner UniversityMontgomery, AL | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Florida Institute of TechnologyMelbourne, FL | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Florida National University-Main CampusHialeah, FL | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno, CA | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Gannon UniversityErie, PA | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Goldey-Beacom CollegeWilmington, DE | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Grand View UniversityDes Moines, IA | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Hampshire CollegeAmherst, MA | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Houston Christian UniversityHouston, TX | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Howard Payne UniversityBrownwood, TX | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Husson UniversityBangor, ME | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana Institute of TechnologyFort Wayne, IN | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ithaca CollegeIthaca, NY | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Keene State CollegeKeene, NH | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeOwensboro, KY | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Lander UniversityGreenwood, SC | 10 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Lasell UniversityNewton, MA | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Linfield UniversityMcMinnville, OR | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Lipscomb UniversityNashville, TN | 19 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Louisiana Christian UniversityPineville, LA | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Lubbock Christian UniversityLubbock, TX | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Manhattanville UniversityPurchase, NY | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mercer UniversityMacon, GA | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mississippi Valley State UniversityItta Bena, MS | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Missouri Western State UniversitySaint Joseph, MO | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Montreat CollegeMontreat, NC | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mount St. Joseph UniversityCincinnati, OH | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| National UniversitySan Diego, CA | 17 | n/a | n/a | $29,687 |
| Neumann UniversityAston, PA | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Northeastern University OaklandOakland, CA | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Northeastern University Professional ProgramsBoston, MA | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KY | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, FL | 19 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ohio Wesleyan UniversityDelaware, OH | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Oklahoma Christian UniversityEdmond, OK | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityWest Palm Beach, FL | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Paul Quinn CollegeDallas, TX | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Pitzer CollegeClaremont, CA | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Point Park UniversityPittsburgh, PA | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-PoncePonce, PR | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ramapo College of New JerseyMahwah, NJ | 19 | n/a | n/a | $21,000 |
| Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, VA | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Roger Williams UniversityBristol, RI | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Rutgers University-NewarkNewark, NJ | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| SUNY College of Technology at CantonCanton, NY | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| SUNY at Purchase CollegePurchase, NY | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Saint Anselm CollegeManchester, NH | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Samford UniversityBirmingham, AL | 16 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Scripps CollegeClaremont, CA | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| South CollegeKnoxville, TN | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Southeastern UniversityLakeland, FL | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| State University of New York at PlattsburghPlattsburgh, NY | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Susquehanna UniversitySelinsgrove, PA | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Tarleton State UniversityStephenville, TX | 21 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| The University of FindlayFindlay, OH | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, PA | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Thomas More UniversityCrestview Hills, KY | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| United States Air Force AcademyUSAF Academy, CO | 15 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| United States Military AcademyWest Point, NY | 57 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Alaska AnchorageAnchorage, AK | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock, AR | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of BaltimoreBaltimore, MD | 22 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Central OklahomaEdmond, OK | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Illinois SpringfieldSpringfield, IL | 10 | n/a | n/a | $19,500 |
| University of KansasLawrence, KS | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of MississippiUniversity, MS | 40 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of South DakotaVermillion, SD | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Wisconsin-SuperiorSuperior, WI | 17 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater, WI | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Utah State UniversityLogan, UT | 21 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN | 41 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Washburn UniversityTopeka, KS | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Waynesburg UniversityWaynesburg, PA | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Webster UniversitySaint Louis, MO | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Western New England UniversitySpringfield, MA | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| William Peace UniversityRaleigh, NC | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Winona State UniversityWinona, MN | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Frequently asked questions
How much do legal studies majors make?
Graduates of the typical legal studies program earned a median of $43,973 one year after graduation and $63,727 four years after, in 2024 dollars.
Which college has the highest-paid legal studies graduates?
University of Miami, where graduates earned a median of $99,836 four years after graduation (programs with at least 10 graduates).
How many colleges offer a legal studies major?
146 colleges on the College Scorecard awarded bachelor's degrees in legal studies in 2022-23 or 2023-24.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field of study file, data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. One-year figures: graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Four-year figures: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. More on the data.