Best colleges for Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Liberty University, University of Virginia and James Madison University award the most Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies degrees and certificates in Virginia: 169, 56 and 54 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 Virginia colleges offer Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies and award 339 degrees and certificates a year in all.
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…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,966 | 54 | 80% | — | $25,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies degrees in Virginia
Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 169 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of Virginia Charlottesville Public | 56 | Not reported |
| 3 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public | 54 | $40,966 |
| 4 | George Mason University Fairfax Public | 49 | Not reported |
| 5 | William & Mary Williamsburg Public | 11 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Top skills
What Lawyers earn in Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies degrees?+
Liberty University (169 graduates a year), University of Virginia (56 graduates a year) and James Madison University (54 graduates a year) award the most Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies degrees and certificates in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 Virginia colleges offer Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies.
Which Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, James Madison University tops the list at $40,966. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Lawyers earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Lawyers in Virginia is $179,240 (median $167,210), across about 18,580 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies program?+
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…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, critical thinking, active listening, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Lawyers?+
The national job outlook is about +4.1% growth with around 31,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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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