Best colleges for Non-Professional Legal Studies
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Non-Professional Legal Studies by graduate earnings are University of Miami ($49,624), American University ($45,790) and Suffolk University ($44,354), 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%.
- University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL): $49,624, 51 graduates a year
- American University (Washington, DC): $45,790, 40 graduates a year
- Suffolk University (Boston, MA): $44,354, 44 graduates a year
- University of California-Berkeley (Berkeley, CA): $43,886, 201 graduates a year
- Arizona State University Campus Immersion (Tempe, AZ): $42,228, 117 graduates a year
Compare 232 U.S. colleges offering Non-Professional Legal Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 50 states.
Non-Professional Legal Studies programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,162 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 22.00 and the Paralegals and Legal Assistants occupation (BLS SOC).
About Non-Professional Legal Studies programs
The Non-Professional Legal Studies program offers students an opportunity to explore legal principles and practices without qualifying for bar admission. This program is ideal for individuals with a bachelor's degree in a non-law field who are interested in gaining a foundational understanding of legal concepts and procedures. It serves as a stepping stone for those considering careers in law-related fields or further legal education.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as writing, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework covers areas like law and government, administrative practices, and legal document preparation, equipping graduates with the knowledge necessary to navigate legal environments effectively.
Top 25 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 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,624 | 51 | 84% | $26,589 | $15,500 |
| 2 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,790 | 40 | 75% | $30,225 | $24,375 |
| 3 | Suffolk University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,354 | 44 | 61% | $28,895 | $27,000 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,886 | 201 | 93% | — | $13,723 |
| 5 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,228 | 117 | 68% | — | $24,386 |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,144 | 100 | 90% | — | $20,980 |
| 7 | Hamline University Saint Paul, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,059 | 26 | 60% | $20,981 | $23,250 |
| 8 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,558 | 117 | 85% | — | $17,383 |
| 9 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,558 | 22 | 63% | — | $17,383 |
| 10 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,162 | 22 | 76% | $36,137 | $27,000 |
| 11 | University of Mississippi University, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,387 | 53 | 72% | — | $25,750 |
| 12 | University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,941 | 114 | 75% | — | $18,416 |
| 13 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,181 | 91 | 83% | — | $23,000 |
| 14 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,408 | 241 | 78% | — | $21,422 |
| 15 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,752 | 143 | 81% | — | $24,753 |
| 16 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,649 | 122 | 56% | — | $9,500 |
| 17 | Siena University Loudonville, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,435 | 30 | 75% | $30,138 | $27,000 |
| 18 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,307 | 124 | 66% | $27,359 | $26,030 |
| 19 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,637 | 185 | 65% | $28,911 | $26,656 |
| 20 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,017 | 86 | 53% | — | $21,500 |
| 21 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $54,304 | 108 | 33% | — | $31,017 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $53,237 | 32 | 34% | — | $37,500 |
| 23 | University of La Verne La Verne, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $49,004 | 10 | 63% | $45,461 | $30,370 |
| 24 | American Public University System Charles Town, WV Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online | $46,109 | 139 | 57% | $10,199 | $41,008 |
| 25 | Bellevue University Bellevue, NE Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online | $44,839 | 34 | 33% | $29,230 | $37,250 |
Top certificate or associate program
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 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Certificate | $68,359 | 211 | 90% | — | $19,500 |
Specializations within Non-Professional Legal Studies
2 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 22.00 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Legal StudiesCIP 22.00004,255 graduates / yr183 institutions42 states
- Pre-Law StudiesCIP 22.0001813 graduates / yr55 institutions29 states
Show all 3 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Non-Professional Legal Studies22.0099
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 50 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 23-2011, Paralegals and Legal Assistants, and its national outlook.
The career outlook for graduates in Non-Professional Legal Studies shows little or no change, with an estimated 39,300 annual openings. Typical positions may require an associate's degree, and the median wage in this field is approximately $61,010, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in legal support roles.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Non-Professional Legal Studies
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 22.00.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 22.00 (Non-Professional Legal 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 |
|---|---|
| 23-2011 | Paralegals and Legal Assistantsprimary |
| 23-2099 | Legal Support Workers, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Non-Professional Legal 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
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
- Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
- Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Non-Professional Legal Studies program?+
The program focuses on providing a foundational understanding of legal principles and practices without qualifying for bar admission.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, active listening, and legal document preparation.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 39,300 annual openings in related fields.
What is the typical education required for careers in this field?+
Most positions typically require an associate's degree.
How much do Non-Professional Legal Studies graduates earn?+
Non-Professional Legal Studies graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,162, College Scorecard (2019); the Paralegals and Legal Assistants occupation pays about $69,700 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Non-Professional Legal Studies?+
Non-Professional Legal Studies maps to CIP 22.00 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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