Legal Professions And StudiesSpecialization of Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies

Best institutions to study Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law

CIP 22.0205

An advanced, professional study of the law and process related to the regulation of businesses and the financial services industry.

25 U.S. institutions graduated 353 Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 22.0205, a specialization of Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (CIP 22.02), and leads most directly to the Lawyers occupation (BLS SOC 23-1011).

Institutions
25
offering CIP 22.0205
States offered
17
with graduates reported
Graduates / yr
353
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Women
57%
share of graduates
US median pay · Lawyers
$159,670
BLS OEWS May 2025
Share of Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
2.9%
of all Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies graduates

About Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law programs

Official NCES definition · CIP 22.0205
An advanced, professional study of the law and process related to the regulation of businesses and the financial services industry. Includes instruction in corporate law, antitrust law, securities law and regulation, negotiation, incorporation, partnerships, trusts, and related topics
Also offered asBanking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law (LL.M.)Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law (J.S.D./S.J.D.)Estate Planning Law

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).

The Banking program, part of the Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, focuses on the advanced study of laws and processes governing the regulation of businesses and the financial services industry. This program is designed for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of corporate, antitrust, and securities law, among other related topics.

What you'll learn

Students in this program will develop essential skills in critical thinking, active listening, and legal analysis. Coursework typically covers areas such as negotiation, incorporation, partnerships, and trusts, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary to navigate complex legal environments.

Credentials awarded

What Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).

  • Master's degree251 graduates / yr · 17 institutions
    71%
  • Postbaccalaureate certificate75 graduates / yr · 6 institutions
    21%
  • Post-master's certificate24 graduates / yr · 3 institutions
    6.8%
  • Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 1 institution
    0.8%

Graduates over time

Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.

353graduates in 2025
+50% since 2012
487 · 202220122025235353
Graduates per year (IPEDS completions)
YearGraduates
2012235
2013163
2014282
2015274
2016333
2017388
2018352
2019328
2020368
2021255
2022487
2023436
2024426
2025353

Top 25 institutions for Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law, ranked by graduates

Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.

#InstitutionGraduates / yrGrad rateNet priceField earnings* (1 yr)
1New York University
New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
8988%$29,023—
2Boston University
Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
4889%$21,956—
3Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.
3373%$33,454—
4DePaul University
Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.
2668%$28,141—
5Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
2475%$19,899—
6George Washington University
Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
2184%$29,789—
7University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
2092%$26,873—
8Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.
2094%$14,126—
9Florida State University
Tallahassee, FLPublicMaster's
1386%—$74,141
10Indiana University - Indianapolis
Indianapolis, INPublicPost-degree cert.
1154%——
11Widener University
Chester, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral
968%$29,049—
12University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NVPublicMaster's
651%——
13University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UTPublicPost-degree cert.
665%——
14Crestpoint University
Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitMaster's
533%$15,215—
15Samford University
Birmingham, ALPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
377%$28,160—
16University of San Diego
San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
384%$26,035—
17St. John's University - New York
Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
366%$27,359—
18University of Oregon
Eugene, ORPublicMaster's
372%——
19University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PAPublicMaster's
385%—$64,062
20University of Connecticut
Storrs, CTPublicPost-degree cert.
283%——
21Thomas M Cooley Law School
Lansing, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
1———
22Wayne State University
Detroit, MIPublicMaster's
158%——
23Drexel University
Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
178%$36,004$59,077
24Temple University
Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster's
175%——
25George Mason University
Fairfax, VAPublicMaster's
168%——

* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies field (CIP 22.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.

Offered in 17 states

Where Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law graduates come from. Each state links to all Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies programs offered there.

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 23-1011, Lawyers, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Banking program often pursue careers as lawyers or law teachers, with a median wage of $151,160. The job outlook for legal professions is about as fast as average, with an expected annual opening of 31,500 positions and a growth rate of 4.1%. Most positions require a doctoral or professional degree.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.1%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~31,500
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$151,160
typically Doctoral or professional degree
National employment
754,500
Lawyers
US average pay
$185,840
annual, BLS OEWS May 2025
US median pay
$159,670
annual

Top-paying metros

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$288,980avg
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
$248,950avg
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
$241,500avg
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$237,060avg
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT
$231,710avg

Career pathways for CIP 22.0205

The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.

OccupationUS median payGrowthOpenings / yrTypical entry education
Lawyersprimary
SOC 23-1011
$159,670+4.1%
About as fast as average
~31,500Doctoral or professional degree
Law Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC 25-1112
$128,500+2.2%
About as fast as average
~2,200Doctoral or professional degree
Preparation needed

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Education
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Related careers

Lawyers
$185,840 avg · 754,500 jobs
Law Teachers, Postsecondary
$144,770 avg · 20,060 jobs

Skills & knowledge in Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Speaking
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Active Learning
Monitoring
Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

Law and Government
English Language
Customer and Personal Service
Administrative
Computers and Electronics
Communications and Media

Abilities that matter most

Oral Expression
Oral Comprehension
Written Comprehension
Written Expression
Speech Clarity
Deductive Reasoning

Day-to-day work activities

Getting Information
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

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.

Tools and technology used

Abacus Data Systems AbacusLawAbacusNext HotDocsADC Legal Systems Perfect PracticeADERANT Expert Matter CenterAdobe AcrobatAdvanced Technologies Class ActAdvantageLaw WinVantageAnacomp CaseLogistix

Other Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies specializations

The 24 other 6-digit CIP codes under Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (CIP 22.02).

Show 5 more CIP codes 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.

See all Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies programs →

Common questions

What degrees can I earn in this program?+

You can earn a Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Post-master's certificate, or a Doctor's degree.

What skills will I develop?+

You will develop skills in speaking, critical thinking, active listening, and legal analysis.

What careers can I pursue after graduation?+

You can work as a lawyer or a law teacher, among other legal professions.

What is the job outlook for legal professions?+

The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 31,500 annual openings projected.

What is the CIP code for Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law?+

Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law is CIP 22.0205 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (CIP 22.02). NCES defines it as: An advanced, professional study of the law and process related to the regulation of businesses and the financial services industry. Includes instruction in corporate law, antitrust law, securities law and regulation, negotiation, incorporation, partnerships, trusts, and related topics

How many institutions offer Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law programs?+

25 U.S. institutions reported Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 17 states, awarding 353 credentials in the year. That is 2.9% of all Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies graduates.

How much do Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law graduates earn?+

Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Lawyers occupation, which Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law most directly leads to, pays a median of $159,670 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies field report median earnings of $64,062 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.

Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

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