2026 Best Legal Studies And Professions Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Legal Studies And Professions doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 889 colleges 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.
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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best Legal Studies And Professions doctoral degree schools in the United States. Based 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. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $18,627. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $16,616. Read more about Northwestern University
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. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. University Of Chicago Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $15,854 in debt. Get the full University Of Chicago report
You'll be in good company at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
You'll be in good company at Stanford University, which ranked #5 this year. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $10,492. See the full Stanford University profile
Harvard University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $16,616. Read the full report on Harvard University
Georgetown University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Located 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. Graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Read more about Georgetown University
New York University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $21,897. Read more about New York University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $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
Vanderbilt University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
University Of California Berkeley landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,723 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Notre Dame did well this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. University Of Notre Dame Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $19,891 in debt. Get the full University Of Notre Dame report
South Texas College Of Law landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Based in Houston, TX, South Texas College Of Law is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about South Texas College Of Law
University Of Southern California ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Get the full University Of Southern California report
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $21,275. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Washington And Lee University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lexington, VA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,045. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $20,074. See the full Washington And Lee University profile
Boston University placed #18 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Boston University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $25,232. More on Boston University
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located 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. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. University Of California Los Angeles Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $16,097 in debt. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Fordham University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bronx, NY. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,470. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $25,643. Get the full Fordham University report
University Of California Hastings College Of Law placed #21 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Set in San Francisco, CA, University Of California Hastings College Of Law is a public institution. Read more about University Of California Hastings College Of Law
Washington University In St Louis ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,790. Washington University In St Louis Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $17,553 in debt. More on Washington University In St Louis
Brooklyn Law School did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based 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 Legal Studies And Professions schools. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $19,431. Get the full Emory University report
William Mitchell College Of Law placed #25 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. Read the full report on William Mitchell College Of Law
Rest of the Top 50 Best Legal Studies And Professions Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Wake Forest University placed #26 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Located in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,642. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $21,577. See the full Wake Forest University profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Set 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, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
New York Law School placed #28 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. New York Law School is a private not-for-profit school based 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. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $20,980. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Santa Clara University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Located in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $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 placed #31 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. This public school is set in Williamsburg, VA. College Of William And Mary posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. College Of William And Mary Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $18,935 in debt. Read the full report on College Of William And Mary
Boston College placed #32 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $18,101. See the full Boston College profile
Thomas M Cooley Law School placed #33 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Set in Lansing, MI, Thomas M Cooley Law School is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Thomas M Cooley Law School report
Southern Methodist University did well this year, earning the #34 position. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. Southern Methodist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. More on Southern Methodist University
Southwestern Law School ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Southwestern Law School is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Get the full Southwestern Law School report
University Of California Irvine did well this year, earning the #36 position. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. University Of California Irvine posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. University Of California Irvine Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $16,539 in debt. More on University Of California Irvine
Villanova University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Villanova, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. More on Villanova University
George Washington University placed #38 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $22,910. Read more about George Washington University
University Of California Davis came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $14,404. More on University Of California Davis
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $20,031. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
University Of Florida ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $17,669. Get the full University Of Florida report
Drake University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Located in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $23,750. Read the full report on Drake University
Arizona State University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Set in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Arizona State University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $19,827 in debt. More on Arizona State University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus did well this year, earning the #44 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. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $17,383 in debt. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
University Of Georgia placed #45 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. University Of Georgia Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. More on University Of Georgia
Loyola Marymount University placed #46 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Loyola Marymount University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $22,248 in debt. Read more about Loyola Marymount University
University Of Richmond did well this year, earning the #47 position. University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit school based in University of Richmond, VA. University Of Richmond posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $65,230 in tuition and fees. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $21,634. See the full University Of Richmond profile
Cuny School Of Law At Queens College placed #48 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Located in Long Island City, NY, Cuny School Of Law At Queens College is a public institution. See the full Cuny School Of Law At Queens College profile
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Based in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $23,923. Get the full University Of St Thomas Minnesota report
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #50 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Located in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $22,386 in debt. See the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln profile
Related Legal Studies And Professions Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Legal Studies And Professions Schools (All Levels)
- 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
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 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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