Best colleges for Legal Professions and Studies
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Legal Professions and Studies by graduate earnings are Roger Williams University ($40,424), Ball State University ($39,220) and University of Arizona ($36,795), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Roger Williams University (Bristol, RI): $40,424, 106 graduates a year
- Ball State University (Muncie, IN): $39,220, 22 graduates a year
- University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ): $36,795, 231 graduates a year
- Berkeley College - New York (New York, NY): $36,131, 33 graduates a year
- Berkeley College - Woodland Park (Woodland Park, NJ): $32,325, 24 graduates a year
Compare 74 U.S. colleges offering Legal Professions and Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 35 states.
Legal Professions and Studies programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,737 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 22.99.
About Legal Professions and Studies programs
The Legal Professions and Studies program offers students a comprehensive understanding of the legal field, focusing on various aspects of law and legal practices. This program is ideal for individuals interested in pursuing careers in legal services or related fields, providing a foundation for further specialized education or entry-level positions in the legal profession.
Students in this program will explore a range of topics related to legal systems, ethics, and the role of legal professionals. Coursework may include studies in legal research, writing, and the historical context of law, equipping students with essential skills for navigating the legal landscape.
Top 9 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roger Williams University Bristol, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,424 | 106 | 69% | $34,648 | $27,000 |
| 2 | Ball State University Muncie, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,220 | 22 | 62% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,795 | 231 | 68% | — | $20,937 |
| 4 | Berkeley College - New York New York, NY Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,131 | 33 | 44% | $29,326 | $42,249 |
| 5 | Berkeley College - Woodland Park Woodland Park, NJ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,325 | 24 | 44% | $23,170 | $34,413 |
| 6 | Drake University Des Moines, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,273 | 30 | 74% | $28,855 | $23,750 |
| 7 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $27,613 | 52 | 65% | — | $25,000 |
| 8 | Central Penn College Summerdale, PA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $40,226 | 14 | 51% | $19,136 | — |
| 9 | Nazareth University Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,737 | 7 | 73% | $27,945 | $23,250 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Thomas University Miami Gardens, FL Private not-for-profit · Graduate degree | $52,601 | 48 | 48% | $25,464 | $15,977 |
| 2 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Graduate degree Small program | $72,884 | 15 | 84% | $28,851 | $21,250 |
Specializations within Legal Professions and Studies
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 22.99 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 35 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floridalimited | 1 | $52,601 | St. Thomas University |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 2 | $40,424 | Roger Williams University |
| Pennsylvania | 6 | $40,226 | Central Penn College |
| Indiana | 4 | $39,220 | Ball State University |
| New York | 7 | $38,737 | Syracuse University |
| Arizonalimited | 2 | $36,795 | University of Arizona |
| New Jersey | 4 | $32,325 | Berkeley College - Woodland Park |
| Iowalimited | 1 | $29,273 | Drake University |
| Arkansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 9 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Delawarelimited | 1 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Illinois | 3 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 4 | — | — |
| Michigan | 4 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Nevadalimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Vermontlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 1 | — | — |
Common questions
What is the focus of the Legal Professions and Studies program?+
The program focuses on providing a foundational understanding of legal systems and practices.
Who should consider enrolling in this program?+
This program is suitable for individuals interested in legal careers or further studies in law.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
Students will develop skills in legal research, writing, and understanding legal ethics.
What types of careers can I pursue after graduation?+
Graduates can pursue various roles in the legal sector, supporting legal professionals and services.
How much do Legal Professions and Studies graduates earn?+
Legal Professions and Studies graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,737, College Scorecard (2019).
What is the CIP code for Legal Professions and Studies?+
Legal Professions and Studies maps to CIP 22.99 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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