2026 Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Legal Research master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 188 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
University Of Chicago earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their Legal Research program here. Get the full University Of Chicago report
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #2 on this year's Legal Research ranking in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
You'll be in good company at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. The median Legal Research program debt is $18,627. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
The strong Legal Research programs at Georgetown University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Georgetown University Legal Research students take on a median of $16,483 in debt. Read the full report on Georgetown University
A rank of #5 makes Stanford University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read more about Stanford University
Harvard University placed #6 among Legal Research schools in the United States. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. Harvard University Legal Research students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Read the full report on Harvard University
New York University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. New York University Legal Research students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. See the full New York University profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #8 among Legal Research schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Legal Research students take on a median of $23,258 in debt. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #9 among Legal Research schools in the United States. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical Legal Research student debt is $19,137. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of California Berkeley placed #10 among Legal Research schools in the United States. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. The median Legal Research program debt is $14,238. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Vanderbilt University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Research schools. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Legal Research program here. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
University Of Florida ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Research schools. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Florida
University Of Notre Dame ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Research schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical Legal Research student debt is $19,891. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
Northwestern University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical Legal Research student debt is $16,616. Read more about Northwestern University
Boston University placed #15 among Legal Research schools in the United States. Set in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. The median Legal Research program debt is $25,232. Read more about Boston University
Loyola University Chicago landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. About 75% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete their Legal Research program here. More on Loyola University Chicago
University Of San Diego did well this year, earning the #17 position. University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete their Legal Research program here. See the full University Of San Diego profile
George Washington University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Typical Legal Research student debt is $22,910. More on George Washington University
Fordham University placed #19 among Legal Research schools in the United States. Based in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete their Legal Research program here. See the full Fordham University profile
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Research schools. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
University Of California Los Angeles placed #21 among Legal Research schools in the United States. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical Legal Research student debt is $16,097. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
Hamline University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Hamline University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. See the full Hamline University profile
Seton Hall University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in South Orange, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,170. Seton Hall University Legal Research students take on a median of $23,422 in debt. Get the full Seton Hall University report
Widener University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Research schools. Widener University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in Chester, PA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,730. Graduates carry a median of $26,561 in student loans. Get the full Widener University Main Campus report
Golden Gate University San Francisco did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in San Francisco, CA, Golden Gate University San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,343. Golden Gate University San Francisco Legal Research students take on a median of $33,968 in debt. See the full Golden Gate University San Francisco profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Wake Forest University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Get the full Wake Forest University report
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #27 among Legal Research schools in the United States. Set 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 run about $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Emory University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. The median Legal Research program debt is $19,431. See the full Emory University profile
The University Of Alabama ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Research schools. Based in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Typical Legal Research student debt is $24,496. See the full The University Of Alabama profile
Texas A And M University College Station placed #30 among Legal Research schools in the United States. Located 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 run about $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Texas A And M University College Station Legal Research students take on a median of $20,031 in debt. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus did well this year, earning the #31 position. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical Legal Research student debt is $16,481. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Villanova University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Villanova, PA. Villanova University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete their Legal Research program here. More on Villanova University
Santa Clara University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Located in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,293. The median Legal Research program debt is $20,144. See the full Santa Clara University profile
Washington University In St Louis landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical Legal Research student debt is $17,553. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #35 position. Based in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete their Legal Research program here. Read more about University Of California Davis
University Of California Irvine came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. The median Legal Research program debt is $16,539. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical Legal Research student debt is $21,842. Read more about Arizona State University
University Of California Hastings College Of Law came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Based in San Francisco, CA, University Of California Hastings College Of Law is a public institution. See the full University Of California Hastings College Of Law profile
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Based in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
University Of Southern California came in at #41 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. Typical Legal Research student debt is $15,625. Get the full University Of Southern California report
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Based 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete their Legal Research program here. Read the full report on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Georgia ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Research schools. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete their Legal Research program here. More on University Of Georgia
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #44 among Legal Research schools in the United States. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete their Legal Research program here. Read more about University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Miami placed #45 among Legal Research schools in the United States. Located in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Read more about University Of Miami
Case Western Reserve University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Research schools. Located in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Typical Legal Research student debt is $25,106. Read more about Case Western Reserve University
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Located in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Illinois Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,202. Typical Legal Research student debt is $26,774. Read more about Illinois Institute Of Technology
University Of The Pacific landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stockton, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. See the full University Of The Pacific profile
Indiana University Bloomington placed #49 among Legal Research schools in the United States. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete their Legal Research program here. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
University Of Richmond did well this year, earning the #50 position. University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit school based in University of Richmond, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,230. University Of Richmond Legal Research students take on a median of $21,634 in debt. See the full University Of Richmond profile
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #51 among Legal Research schools in the United States. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete their Legal Research program here. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Related Legal Research Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Legal Research Schools (All Levels)
- Best Legal Research Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Legal Research Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Legal Research Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Legal Research Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Legal Research Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Legal Research Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 188 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).
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