2026 Best Legal Studies And Professions Schools
Looking for the best Legal Studies And Professions programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 889 colleges 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 arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Legal Studies And Professions Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best Legal Studies And Professions programs schools in the United States. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
The strong Legal Studies And Professions programs at University Of Chicago earned it the #2 place in the United States. 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%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $15,854. Read more about University Of Chicago
A rank of #3 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top choices in the United States. Set 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. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $16,155. More on University Of Pennsylvania
A rank of #4 makes Stanford University one of the top choices in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. Stanford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Stanford University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. See the full Stanford University profile
Georgetown University came in at #5 on this year's Legal Studies And Professions ranking in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $16,483. Read the full report on Georgetown University
Harvard University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Harvard University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. See the full Harvard University profile
Northwestern University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. More on Northwestern University
New York University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. New York University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. Read more about New York University
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
El Centro College placed #11 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Set in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. El Centro College Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $17,294 in debt. See the full El Centro College profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #12 position. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based 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. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $23,258. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public school based in Houston, TX. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. University Of Houston Clear Lake Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $20,625 in debt. Get the full University Of Houston Clear Lake report
University Of California Berkeley landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $13,723 in debt. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
Anoka Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. This public school is set in Anoka, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $6,267. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $18,408. Read the full report on Anoka Technical College
University Of Notre Dame placed #18 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $19,891. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Inver Hills Community College placed #19 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Located in Inver Grove Heights, MN, Inver Hills Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. See the full Inver Hills Community College profile
Hamline University placed #20 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Hamline University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $24,050. Get the full Hamline University report
American Public University System did well this year, earning the #21 position. This private for-profit school is set in Charles Town, WV. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,400. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $29,337. See the full American Public University System profile
Portland Community College placed #23 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Based in Portland, OR, Portland Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $23,250. See the full Portland Community College profile
Austin Community College District came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Austin, TX, Austin Community College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Graduates carry a median of $19,242 in student loans. More on Austin Community College District
South Texas College Of Law came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Set in Houston, TX, South Texas College Of Law is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full South Texas College Of Law report
Roosevelt University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Chicago, IL, Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Roosevelt University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $15,986 in debt. Read the full report on Roosevelt University
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #27 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $21,275. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Boston University placed #28 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Boston University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $25,232 in debt. More on Boston University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Legal Studies And Professions Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Cerritos College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Cerritos College is a public school based in Norwalk, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read the full report on Cerritos College
Herzing University Atlanta placed #30 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Set in Atlanta, GA, Herzing University Atlanta is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 18%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Graduates carry a median of $31,441 in student loans. Read the full report on Herzing University Atlanta
Herzing University Kenner landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Set in Metairie, LA, Herzing University Kenner is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,450. Graduates carry a median of $31,441 in student loans. Read the full report on Herzing University Kenner
Washington And Lee University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lexington, VA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,045. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. See the full Washington And Lee University profile
Akron Institute Of Herzing University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Based in Akron, OH, Akron Institute Of Herzing University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,450. Graduates carry a median of $31,441 in student loans. See the full Akron Institute Of Herzing University profile
Roger Williams University did well this year, earning the #36 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bristol, RI. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,197. Roger Williams University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $18,721 in debt. More on Roger Williams University
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #37 position. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Fordham University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Set in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. More on Fordham University
Center For Advanced Legal Studies placed #39 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Located in Houston, TX, Center For Advanced Legal Studies is a private for-profit institution. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $19,221. Get the full Center For Advanced Legal Studies report
Rasmussen College Florida placed #40 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Ocala, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,256. Graduates carry a median of $28,336 in student loans. More on Rasmussen College Florida
University Of California Hastings College Of Law ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. University Of California Hastings College Of Law is a public school based in San Francisco, CA. More on University Of California Hastings College Of Law
Valencia College landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Located in Orlando, FL, Valencia College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. Valencia College Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $16,002 in debt. Read the full report on Valencia College
University Of Southern California placed #44 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $15,625. More on University Of Southern California
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #45 among Legal Studies And Professions 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,980 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madonna University did well this year, earning the #46 position. Set in Livonia, MI, Madonna University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,440. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $26,896. Get the full Madonna University report
Grand Valley State University placed #47 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Grand Valley State University is a public school based in Allendale, MI. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $21,500. More on Grand Valley State University
Herzing University Madison landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Located in Madison, WI, Herzing University Madison is a private not-for-profit institution. About 22% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,450. Herzing University Madison Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $31,441 in debt. Read more about Herzing University Madison
Des Moines Area Community College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Located in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $12,250. Read more about Des Moines Area Community College
Kirkwood Community College ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Kirkwood Community College is a public school based in Cedar Rapids, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $25,083. More on Kirkwood Community College
William Mitchell College Of Law came in at #52 in this year's ranking. Set in Saint Paul, MN, William Mitchell College Of Law is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about William Mitchell College Of Law
University Of Florida ranked #53 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $17,669. More on University Of Florida
Brooklyn Law School landed the #54 spot in the United States this year. Based in Brooklyn, NY, Brooklyn Law School is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Brooklyn Law School
Emory University did well this year, earning the #55 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. Graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. See the full Emory University profile
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #56 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Located in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Read more about City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Wake Forest University ranked #57 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Located in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $21,577. See the full Wake Forest University profile
Best Legal Studies And Professions Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Legal Studies And Professions Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Legal Studies And Professions Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Legal Studies And Professions Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Legal Studies And Professions Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Legal Studies And Professions Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Legal Studies And Professions Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Legal Studies And Professions Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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 889 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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