Best institutions to study International Law and Legal Studies
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.
24 U.S. institutions graduated 388 International Law and Legal Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 22.0209, a specialization of Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (CIP 22.02), and leads most directly to the Lawyers occupation (BLS SOC 23-1011).
About International Law and Legal Studies programs
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.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The International Law and Legal Studies program, part of the Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, focuses on the advanced study of laws that govern international relations, the behavior of international organizations, and the activities of private citizens and organizations on a global scale. This program is designed for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of international law and its implications in various contexts.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers areas like law and government, legal interpretation, and the analysis of legal precedents, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary to navigate complex legal landscapes.
Credentials awarded
What International Law and Legal Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree359 graduates / yr · 19 institutions93%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate12 graduates / yr · 4 institutions3.1%
- Post-master's certificate11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship4 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.0%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
Graduates over time
International Law and Legal Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 403 |
| 2013 | 413 |
| 2014 | 618 |
| 2015 | 536 |
| 2016 | 539 |
| 2017 | 490 |
| 2018 | 507 |
| 2019 | 478 |
| 2020 | 427 |
| 2021 | 242 |
| 2022 | 485 |
| 2023 | 460 |
| 2024 | 413 |
| 2025 | 388 |
Top 24 institutions for International Law and Legal Studies, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 88 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 2 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 54 | 75% | — | — |
| 3 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 53 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 4 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 42 | 75% | $30,225 | — |
| 5 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 27 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 6 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 7 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicMaster'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 18 | 85% | — | $64,062 |
| 8 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 66% | $27,359 | — |
| 9 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 10 | Stetson University DeLand, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 62% | $21,948 | — |
| 11 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 12 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 94% | $23,570 | — |
| 13 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicMaster's | 6 | 67% | — | — |
| 14 | University of New Hampshire - Franklin Pierce School of Law Concord, NHPublicMaster's | 6 | — | — | — |
| 15 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 65% | — | — |
| 16 | Golden Gate University San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | — | — | — |
| 17 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 3 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 18 | University of the Pacific Stockton, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 69% | $23,964 | — |
| 19 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 20 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 21 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicDoctoral (prof.) | 2 | 75% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicMaster's | 2 | 65% | — | — |
| 23 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 68% | $28,141 | — |
| 24 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
* 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 15 states
Where International Law and Legal Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 4 | 111 | New York University88 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 3 | 90 | American University42 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 72 | Temple University54 / yr |
| Florida | 2 | 61 | University of Miami53 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 12 | Liberty University12 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 7 | Tufts University7 / yr |
| California | 2 | 6 | Golden Gate University4 / yr |
| Nebraska | 1 | 6 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln6 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 6 | University of New Hampshire - Franklin Pierce School of Law6 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 6 | University of Utah6 / yr |
| Illinois | 2 | 3 | Loyola University Chicago2 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 3 | Duke University3 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 2 | Tulane University of Louisiana2 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 2 | University of Houston2 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 1 | Case Western Reserve University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 23-1011, Lawyers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the International Law and Legal Studies program often pursue careers as lawyers or law teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook for legal professions is promising, with a growth rate of 4.1% and approximately 31,500 annual openings. The median wage for lawyers is $151,160, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 22.0209
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lawyersprimary SOC 23-1011 | $159,670 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~31,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Law Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1112 | $128,500 | +2.2% About as fast as average | ~2,200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
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
Skills & knowledge in International Law and Legal Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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
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).
- Advanced Legal Research/CIP 22.0201
Studies 5,052 graduates / yr77 institutions - Legal Research and Advanced Professional StudiesCIP 22.02991,551 graduates / yr42 institutions
- Programs for Foreign LawyersCIP 22.02021,380 graduates / yr34 institutions
- American/CIP 22.0203
U.S. Law/ Legal Studies/ Jurisprudence 949 graduates / yr40 institutions - Tax Law/CIP 22.0211
Taxation 749 graduates / yr24 institutions - Health LawCIP 22.0208448 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities LawCIP 22.0205353 graduates / yr25 institutions
- International Business, Trade, and Tax LawCIP 22.0210316 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources LawCIP 22.0207255 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Human Resources LawCIP 22.0220partial data235 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Intellectual Property LawCIP 22.0212110 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Arts and Entertainment LawCIP 22.0215limited data98 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Comparative LawCIP 22.0206partial data84 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Real Estate and Land Development LawCIP 22.0222limited data56 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Tribal/CIP 22.0224
Indigenous Law partial data56 graduates / yr7 institutions - Compliance LawCIP 22.0216partial data38 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Criminal Law and ProcedureCIP 22.0217partial data30 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Entrepreneurship LawCIP 22.0218limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Patent LawCIP 22.0213limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions
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, a Postbaccalaureate certificate, a Post-master's certificate, or a Doctor's degree in this field.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, critical thinking, active listening, and writing, among others.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can become a lawyer or a law teacher, with various opportunities in the legal field.
What is the job outlook for legal professions?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.1% and 31,500 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for International Law and Legal Studies?+
International Law and Legal Studies is CIP 22.0209 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 affecting relations between nations, the behavior of international organizations, and the international activities of private citizens and organizations.
How many institutions offer International Law and Legal Studies programs?+
24 U.S. institutions reported International Law and Legal Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 388 credentials in the year. That is 3.2% of all Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies graduates.
How much do International Law and Legal Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Lawyers occupation, which International Law and Legal Studies 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.
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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