Best colleges for Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top colleges for Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies by graduate earnings are Florida State University ($74,141), University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus ($64,062) and Drexel University ($59,077), 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%.
- Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL): $74,141, 293 graduates a year
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (Pittsburgh, PA): $64,062, 35 graduates a year
- Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA): $59,077, 58 graduates a year
- James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA): $40,966, 54 graduates a year
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 median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $64,062 (College Scorecard, 2019), 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
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 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · Graduate degree | $74,141 | 293 | 86% | — | $19,500 |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Graduate degree | $64,062 | 35 | 85% | — | $24,872 |
| 3 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $59,077 | 58 | 78% | $36,004 | $27,978 |
| 4 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,966 | 54 | 80% | — | $25,000 |
| 5 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NY Public · Graduate degree Online Small program | $80,825 | 17 | — | — | $15,500 |
Specializations within Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
20 of the 25 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 22.02 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Advanced Legal Research/CIP 22.0201
Studies 5,052 graduates / yr77 institutions31 states - Legal Research and Advanced Professional StudiesCIP 22.02991,551 graduates / yr42 institutions26 states
- Programs for Foreign LawyersCIP 22.02021,380 graduates / yr34 institutions22 states
- American/CIP 22.0203
U.S. Law/ Legal Studies/ Jurisprudence 949 graduates / yr40 institutions20 states - Tax Law/CIP 22.0211
Taxation 749 graduates / yr24 institutions16 states - Health LawCIP 22.0208448 graduates / yr21 institutions16 states
- International Law and Legal StudiesCIP 22.0209388 graduates / yr24 institutions15 states
- Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities LawCIP 22.0205353 graduates / yr25 institutions17 states
- International Business, Trade, and Tax LawCIP 22.0210316 graduates / yr16 institutions11 states
- Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources LawCIP 22.0207255 graduates / yr21 institutions16 states
- Human Resources LawCIP 22.0220New in CIP 2020partial data235 graduates / yr5 institutions3 states
- Intellectual Property LawCIP 22.0212110 graduates / yr13 institutions12 states
- Arts and Entertainment LawCIP 22.0215New in CIP 2020limited data98 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
- Comparative LawCIP 22.0206partial data84 graduates / yr6 institutions5 states
- Real Estate and Land Development LawCIP 22.0222New in CIP 2020limited data56 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
- Tribal/CIP 22.0224
Indigenous Law New in CIP 2020partial data56 graduates / yr7 institutions5 states - Compliance LawCIP 22.0216New in CIP 2020partial data38 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
- Criminal Law and ProcedureCIP 22.0217New in CIP 2020partial data30 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
- Entrepreneurship LawCIP 22.0218New in CIP 2020limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
- Patent LawCIP 22.0213New in CIP 2020limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 25 codes (5 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Canadian Law/
Legal Studies/ Jurisprudence22.0204 - Agriculture Law22.0214
- Family/
Child/ Elder Law22.0219 - Insurance Law22.0221
- Transportation Law22.0223
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
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.
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 one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $64,062, College Scorecard (2019); 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.
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