Best institutions to study Legal Studies
A program of study that focuses on law and legal issues from the perspective of the social sciences and humanities.
183 U.S. institutions graduated 4,255 Legal Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 22.0000, a specialization of Non-Professional Legal Studies (CIP 22.00), and leads most directly to the Paralegals and Legal Assistants occupation (BLS SOC 23-2011).
About Legal Studies programs
A program of study that focuses on law and legal issues from the perspective of the social sciences and humanities.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Legal Studies program, specifically under Non-Professional Legal Studies, offers students an in-depth understanding of law and legal issues through the lens of social sciences and humanities. This program is ideal for those interested in exploring legal concepts without pursuing a traditional law degree. It caters to individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge of legal systems and processes.
Students in the Legal Studies program develop essential skills such as writing, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework typically covers areas like law and government, administrative practices, and the use of technology in legal contexts, preparing graduates for various roles in the legal field.
Credentials awarded
What Legal Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree2,744 graduates / yr · 106 institutions65%
- Associate's degree535 graduates / yr · 56 institutions13%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year506 graduates / yr · 19 institutions12%
- Master's degree387 graduates / yr · 20 institutions9.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years53 graduates / yr · 5 institutions1.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate26 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Legal Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,449 |
| 2013 | 2,569 |
| 2014 | 2,533 |
| 2015 | 2,360 |
| 2016 | 2,330 |
| 2017 | 2,535 |
| 2018 | 2,686 |
| 2019 | 2,960 |
| 2020 | 3,272 |
| 2021 | 3,523 |
| 2022 | 3,693 |
| 2023 | 3,694 |
| 2024 | 3,784 |
| 2025 | 4,255 |
Top 50 institutions for 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 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor's | 241 | 78% | — | $34,408 |
| 2 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 211 | 90% | — | $68,359 |
| 3 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor's | 201 | 93% | — | $43,886 |
| 4 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster's | 150 | 68% | — | — |
| 5 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 139 | 57% | $10,199 | $46,109 |
| 6 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 124 | 66% | $27,359 | $29,307 |
| 7 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NYPublicBachelor's | 122 | 56% | — | $32,649 |
| 8 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sDoctoral | 117 | 68% | — | $42,228 |
| 9 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 117 | 85% | — | $39,558 |
| 10 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor's | 114 | 75% | — | $36,941 |
| 11 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MDPublicBachelor's | 108 | 33% | — | $54,304 |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor's | 100 | 90% | — | $41,144 |
| 13 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor's | 95 | 75% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor's | 91 | 83% | — | $36,181 |
| 15 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 86 | 53% | — | $23,017 |
| 16 | Post University Waterbury, CTPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 81 | 25% | $14,659 | $39,838 |
| 17 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 70 | 37% | — | — |
| 18 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor's | 69 | 82% | — | — |
| 19 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAssociate's | 66 | 40% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Mississippi University, MSPublicBachelor's | 53 | 72% | — | $38,387 |
| 21 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 51 | 84% | $26,589 | $49,624 |
| 22 | College of the Canyons Santa Clarita, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 50 | 45% | — | — |
| 23 | San Joaquin Delta College Stockton, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 50 | 35% | — | — |
| 24 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 49 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 25 | United States Military Academy West Point, NYPublicBachelor's | 48 | 87% | — | — |
| 26 | Sacramento City College Sacramento, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 46 | 33% | — | — |
| 27 | Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 45 | 31% | — | — |
| 28 | Suffolk University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 44 | 61% | $28,895 | $44,354 |
| 29 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 42 | 55% | — | — |
| 30 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor's | 42 | 0% | — | $42,228 |
| 31 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 41 | 75% | — | — |
| 32 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 40 | 75% | $30,225 | $45,790 |
| 33 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 39 | 52% | — | — |
| 34 | Drake University Des Moines, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 37 | 74% | $28,855 | — |
| 35 | Bellevue University Bellevue, NEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 34 | 33% | $29,230 | $44,839 |
| 36 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, COPublicBachelor's | 32 | 88% | — | — |
| 37 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 32 | 34% | — | $53,237 |
| 38 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 75% | — | — |
| 39 | University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, ILPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 27 | 53% | — | — |
| 40 | Hamline University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 26 | 60% | $20,981 | $40,059 |
| 41 | Chaffey College Rancho Cucamonga, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 25 | 36% | — | — |
| 42 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Perkinston, MSPublicAssociate's | 24 | 48% | — | — |
| 43 | Crestpoint University Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 24 | 33% | $15,215 | $35,764 |
| 44 | Los Angeles City College Los Angeles, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 23 | 29% | — | — |
| 45 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 76% | $36,137 | $39,162 |
| 46 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicBachelor's | 22 | 58% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Washington - Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WAPublicBachelor's | 22 | 63% | — | $39,558 |
| 48 | Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJPublicBachelor's | 21 | 70% | — | — |
| 49 | Fresno City College Fresno, CAPublicAssociate's | 19 | 24% | — | — |
| 50 | Hartnell College Salinas, CAPublicAssociate's | 19 | 40% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Non-Professional Legal Studies field (CIP 22.00) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 42 states & territories
Where Legal Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Non-Professional Legal Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 23-2011, Paralegals and Legal Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Legal Studies program often pursue careers as paralegals and legal assistants, with an annual job outlook of approximately 39,300 openings. The median wage for these positions is around $61,010, and many roles typically require at least an associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 22.0000
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Paralegals and Legal Assistantsprimary SOC 23-2011 | $62,890 | +0.2% Little or no change | ~39,300 | Associate's degree |
Legal Support Workers, All Other SOC 23-2099 | $72,110 | -1.2% Decline | ~4,700 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in 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
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Non-Professional Legal Studies specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Non-Professional Legal Studies (CIP 22.00).
Show 1 more CIP codes 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.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Legal Studies?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or a Master's degree in Legal Studies.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, active listening, and legal document preparation.
What careers can I pursue with a Legal Studies degree?+
Common careers include paralegals and legal assistants, with opportunities in various legal support roles.
What is the job outlook for Legal Studies graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 39,300 annual openings in the field.
What is the CIP code for Legal Studies?+
Legal Studies is CIP 22.0000 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Non-Professional Legal Studies (CIP 22.00). NCES defines it as: A program of study that focuses on law and legal issues from the perspective of the social sciences and humanities.
How many institutions offer Legal Studies programs?+
183 U.S. institutions reported Legal Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 42 states & territories, awarding 4,255 credentials in the year. That is 84.0% of all Non-Professional Legal Studies graduates.
How much do Legal Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Paralegals and Legal Assistants occupation, which Legal Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $62,890 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Non-Professional Legal Studies field report median earnings of $39,558 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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