Best institutions to study Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
Compare 157 U.S. colleges offering Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 43 states.
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies programs report a median of $64,062 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 22.02 and the Lawyers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies programs
The Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies program focuses on equipping students with the skills necessary for advanced legal research and analysis. This program is designed for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of legal principles and practices, making it ideal for both aspiring lawyers and current professionals in the legal field. Students will explore various specializations, including American law, Canadian law, and corporate finance law, among others, preparing them for diverse legal careers.
Learn more about Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies →
Participants in this program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework covers key areas of law and government, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of legal systems, regulations, and the analytical techniques needed for successful legal practice.
Top 5 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NY Public · Graduate degree | $80,825 | 17 | — | — | $15,500 |
| 2 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · Graduate degree | $74,141 | 293 | 86% | — | $19,500 |
| 3 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Graduate degree | $64,062 | 35 | 85% | — | $24,872 |
| 4 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $59,077 | 58 | 78% | $36,004 | $27,978 |
| 5 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,966 | 54 | 80% | — | $25,000 |
Offered across 43 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 14 | $80,825 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
| Florida | 9 | $74,141 | Florida State University |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | $64,062 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus |
| Virginia | 5 | $40,966 | James Madison University |
| Alabamalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Arizona | 4 | — | — |
| California | 15 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 2 | — | — |
| District of Columbia | 4 | — | — |
| Georgia | 4 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinois | 6 | — | — |
| Indiana | 3 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Louisiana | 3 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Massachusetts | 8 | — | — |
| Michigan | 4 | — | — |
| Minnesota | 6 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missouri | 5 | — | — |
| Montanalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Nevadalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Hampshirelimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 2 | — | — |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohio | 10 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregon | 3 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texas | 7 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Vermontlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Puerto Rico | 4 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 23-1011, Lawyers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies program can pursue careers in various legal fields, including law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies. The job outlook for legal professionals is expected to grow by 4.1%, with approximately 31,500 annual openings. The median wage for legal professionals is $151,160, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 22.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 22.02 (Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies) maps to 2 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 23-1011 | Lawyersprimary |
| 25-1112 | Law Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.
- Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
Concentrations within Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Advanced Legal Research/Studies, GeneralCIP 22.0201
An integrated or undifferentiated program in one or more of the legal research or advanced practice fields.
- Programs for Foreign LawyersCIP 22.0202
A program that prepares lawyers educated outside the United States to understand U
- American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/JurisprudenceCIP 22.0203
An advanced, professional program of the U.S
- Canadian Law/Legal Studies/JurisprudenceCIP 22.0204
An advanced, professional study of the Canadian legal system, Constitution law, and jurisprudence
- Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities LawCIP 22.0205
An advanced, professional study of the law and process related to the regulation of businesses and the financial services industry
- Comparative LawCIP 22.0206
An advanced, professional study of legal systems and philosophies in comparative perspective.
- Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources LawCIP 22.0207
An advanced, professional study of the law, policies, and regulations governing the energy industry, environmental protection, natural resources and land use, and related topics.
- Health LawCIP 22.0208
An advanced, professional study of the law, policies and regulations affecting the health care industry, health professions, health services and insurance industries, and patients.
- International Law and Legal StudiesCIP 22.0209
An advanced, professional study of the law affecting relations between nations, the behavior of international organizations, and the international activities of private citizens and organizations.
- International Business, Trade, and Tax LawCIP 22.0210
An advanced, professional study of the law, policies, and regulations governing transnational business and commercial practices, including the specialized tax law related to international financial tr
- Tax Law/TaxationCIP 22.0211
An advanced, professional study of tax law and taxation procedures in U.S
- Intellectual Property LawCIP 22.0212
An advanced, professional study of the law, policies, and regulations related to copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and related issues
Common questions
What are the specializations available in this program?+
Specializations include Advanced Legal Research, Programs for Foreign Lawyers, American Law, Canadian Law, Banking and Corporate Law, Comparative Law, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, writing, and legal analysis.
What is the job outlook for legal professionals?+
The job outlook is projected to grow by 4.1% with about 31,500 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
Most positions in this field require a doctoral or professional degree.
How much do Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies graduates earn?+
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies graduates report median earnings of $64,062 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Lawyers occupation pays about $185,840 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies?+
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies maps to CIP 22.02 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card