2026 Best Legal Studies And Professions Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Legal Studies And Professions graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 889 institutions 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 help you make your decision, 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 Studies And Professions Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than Harvard University this year in the United States. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read the full report on Harvard University
Northwestern University came in at #2 on this year's Legal Studies And Professions ranking in the United States. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read the full report on Northwestern University
Out of the 889 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #4 spot. 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 graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $23,258 in debt. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
A rank of #5 makes Hamline University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $50,004. Students borrow a median of $24,050 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read the full report on Hamline University
University Of Southern California came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read more about University Of Southern California
Loyola University Chicago came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Loyola University Chicago Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $35,000 in debt. Read the full report on Loyola University Chicago
Loyola Marymount University placed #9 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $61,867. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $22,248. More on Loyola Marymount University
Seton Hall University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Based in South Orange, NJ, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Seton Hall University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $23,422. Read more about Seton Hall University
George Washington University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based 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. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $22,910. Read more about George Washington University
Golden Gate University San Francisco came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Francisco, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,343. Golden Gate University San Francisco Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $33,968 in debt. More on Golden Gate University San Francisco
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $20,980 in debt. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Based in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $22,077. Read more about Tulane University Of Louisiana
Arizona State University landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $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. Read the full report on Arizona State University
Davenport University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Grand Rapids, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees run about $24,466. Davenport University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $27,750 in debt. Get the full Davenport University report
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #17 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Read more about University Of Missouri Columbia
Washington University In St Louis placed #18 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
Villanova University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,776. Villanova University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $26,184 in debt. See the full Villanova University profile
Vermont Law School landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Located in South Royalton, VT, Vermont Law School is a private not-for-profit institution. See the full Vermont Law School profile
Suffolk University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Boston, MA, Suffolk University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,550. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $27,000. See the full Suffolk University profile
University Of San Diego ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Located in San Diego, CA, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $20,437. See the full University Of San Diego profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $24,872. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Located in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Read the full report on Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $23,138 in debt. Get the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus report
Temple University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Temple University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Temple University
Drexel University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Drexel University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $27,978 in debt. Read the full report on Drexel University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Legal Studies And Professions Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Utah landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $20,798. Read the full report on University Of Utah
Syracuse University placed #30 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Located in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Syracuse University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $21,250 in debt. Read the full report on Syracuse University
University Of North Dakota ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Set in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $25,110. More on University Of North Dakota
University Of Kansas placed #32 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Set in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $23,608. See the full University Of Kansas profile
Sullivan University placed #33 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Located in Louisville, KY, Sullivan University is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,480. Sullivan University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $28,394 in debt. Get the full Sullivan University report
Champlain College placed #34 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Located in Burlington, VT, Champlain College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,850. Graduates carry a median of $27,631 in student loans. More on Champlain College
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #35 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Set in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates 54% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $21,963. Get the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis report
Capital University came in at #36 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Columbus, OH. About 60% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $43,234 in tuition and fees. Capital University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $28,269 in debt. Read the full report on Capital University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Set in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Graduates carry a median of $25,258 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $21,348. See the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College profile
University Of Denver came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Denver, CO. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $21,142. Read more about University Of Denver
Montclair State University came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Based in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. Montclair State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $25,000. More on Montclair State University
University Of Arkansas came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Set in Fayetteville, AR, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. University Of Arkansas posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. University Of Arkansas Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $24,019 in debt. See the full University Of Arkansas profile
University Of Connecticut came in at #42 in this year's ranking. University Of Connecticut is a public school based in Storrs, CT. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. University Of Connecticut Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $23,637 in debt. Get the full University Of Connecticut report
University Of Arizona came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. University Of Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $20,937. See the full University Of Arizona profile
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #44 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in University, MS. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates 72% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $25,750. Read the full report on University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #45 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Based in Akron, OH, University Of Akron Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. University Of Akron Main Campus Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $25,347 in debt. Read more about University Of Akron Main Campus
St Johns University New York came in at #46 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Queens, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Students borrow a median of $26,030 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. See the full St Johns University New York profile
Cleveland State University came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Located in Cleveland, OH, Cleveland State University is a public institution. Cleveland State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. More on Cleveland State University
The University Of Montana ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Based in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. The University Of Montana graduates 49% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $24,342. See the full The University Of Montana profile
Nova Southeastern University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Set in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,700. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read more about Nova Southeastern University
University Of Baltimore did well this year, earning the #50 position. Set in Baltimore, MD, University Of Baltimore is a public institution. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Graduates carry a median of $30,104 in student loans. Get the full University Of Baltimore report
University Of Southern Maine did well this year, earning the #51 position. University Of Southern Maine is a public school based in Portland, ME. University Of Southern Maine graduates 40% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. See the full University Of Southern Maine profile
Bryan University Los Angeles landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Bryan University Los Angeles report
Edison State Community College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. More on Edison State Community College
Related Legal Studies And Professions Rankings
Explore 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Legal Studies And Professions Doctoral 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 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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