2026 Best Law Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Law doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 212 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Law Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best Law doctoral degree schools in the United States. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical Law student debt is $18,627. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
The strong Law programs at Northwestern University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Northwestern University Law students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Get the full Northwestern University report
You'll be in good company at University Of Chicago, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their Law program here. More on University Of Chicago
You'll be in good company at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
A rank of #5 makes Stanford University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. More on Stanford University
Harvard University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. The median Law program debt is $16,616. Read more about Harvard University
Georgetown University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Georgetown University Law students take on a median of $16,483 in debt. Get the full Georgetown University report
New York University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Law schools. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete their Law program here. More on New York University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. The median Law program debt is $19,137. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Vanderbilt University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Law schools. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
University Of California Berkeley came in at #11 in this year's ranking. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. University Of California Berkeley Law students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. The median Law program debt is $23,258. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Notre Dame landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete their Law program here. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
South Texas College Of Law placed #14 among Law schools in the United States. Based in Houston, TX, South Texas College Of Law is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on South Texas College Of Law
University Of Southern California placed #15 among Law schools in the United States. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete their Law program here. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #16 among Law schools in the United States. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
Washington And Lee University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Law schools. Set in Lexington, VA, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington And Lee University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,045. Washington And Lee University Law students take on a median of $20,074 in debt. See the full Washington And Lee University profile
Boston University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete their Law program here. Read the full report on Boston University
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. The median Law program debt is $16,097. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles
Fordham University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Fordham University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bronx, NY. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,470. The median Law program debt is $25,643. Read the full report on Fordham University
University Of California Hastings College Of Law did well this year, earning the #21 position. This public school is set in San Francisco, CA. Read the full report on University Of California Hastings College Of Law
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
Brooklyn Law School placed #23 among Law schools in the United States. Located in Brooklyn, NY, Brooklyn Law School is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Brooklyn Law School
Emory University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Law schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete their Law program here. Read the full report on Emory University
William Mitchell College Of Law placed #25 among Law schools in the United States. William Mitchell College Of Law is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. See the full William Mitchell College Of Law profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Law Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Wake Forest University placed #26 among Law schools in the United States. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. Wake Forest University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete their Law program here. Read more about Wake Forest University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Law schools. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete their Law program here. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
New York Law School landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Read more about New York Law School
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Law students take on a median of $21,813 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Santa Clara University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Set in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Read the full report on Santa Clara University
College Of William And Mary landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Williamsburg, VA. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. The median Law program debt is $18,935. See the full College Of William And Mary profile
Boston College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Typical Law student debt is $18,101. Read the full report on Boston College
Thomas M Cooley Law School came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in Lansing, MI, Thomas M Cooley Law School is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Thomas M Cooley Law School profile
Southern Methodist University placed #34 among Law schools in the United States. Based in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Get the full Southern Methodist University report
Southwestern Law School did well this year, earning the #35 position. Southwestern Law School is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Read more about Southwestern Law School
University Of California Irvine did well this year, earning the #36 position. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine
Villanova University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. See the full Villanova University profile
George Washington University came in at #38 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. More on George Washington University
University Of California Davis placed #39 among Law schools in the United States. This public school is set in Davis, CA. University Of California Davis posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. The median Law program debt is $14,404. Read the full report on University Of California Davis
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Law schools. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Law students take on a median of $20,031 in debt. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
University Of Florida came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete their Law program here. Read more about University Of Florida
Drake University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Law schools. Based in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete their Law program here. See the full Drake University profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #43 among Law schools in the United States. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. About 68% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. See the full Arizona State University profile
University Of Georgia came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Loyola Marymount University came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete their Law program here. Get the full Loyola Marymount University report
University Of Richmond came in at #47 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in University of Richmond, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,230. Graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. See the full University Of Richmond profile
Cuny School Of Law At Queens College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Law schools. Cuny School Of Law At Queens College is a public school based in Long Island City, NY. Read the full report on Cuny School Of Law At Queens College
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #49 among Law schools in the United States. Set in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $54,398. Graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. More on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Located in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete their Law program here. Read more about University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Related Law Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Law Schools (All Levels)
- Best Law Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Law Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Law Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Law Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Law Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Law Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 212 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.