2026 Best Legal Studies And Professions Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Legal Studies And Professions master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 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 analyzed 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 Legal Studies And Professions school in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
Out of the 889 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Pennsylvania landed the #2 spot. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #3 on this year's Legal Studies And Professions ranking in the United States. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Georgetown University came in at #4 on this year's Legal Studies And Professions ranking in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. See the full Georgetown University profile
A rank of #5 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%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Stanford University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Read more about Stanford University
Harvard University placed #6 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $16,616. Read more about Harvard University
New York University placed #7 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. See the full New York University profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #8 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #9 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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
University Of California Berkeley placed #10 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,723 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Vanderbilt University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
University Of Florida came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, 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
American Public University System came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $29,337 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. See the full American Public University System profile
University Of Notre Dame landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read more about University Of Notre Dame
Boston University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $25,232. See the full Boston University profile
Northwestern University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $16,616. Read more about Northwestern University
George Washington University did well this year, earning the #18 position. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. More on George Washington University
Loyola University Chicago landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Get the full Loyola University Chicago report
University Of San Diego ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,486. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $20,437. More on University Of San Diego
Fordham University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Fordham University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bronx, NY. Fordham University posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $25,643. Read the full report on Fordham University
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #22 position. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
Hamline University placed #23 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. Hamline University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Hamline University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $24,050 in debt. Get the full Hamline University report
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $16,097. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Widener University Main Campus came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chester, PA. About 68% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,730. Graduates carry a median of $26,561 in student loans. See the full Widener University Main Campus profile
Seton Hall University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set 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%. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,422 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. More on Seton Hall University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Legal Studies And Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Golden Gate University San Francisco landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. 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. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $33,968. Get the full Golden Gate University San Francisco report
Wake Forest University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Read the full report on Wake Forest University
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $20,980. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Emory University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $19,431. More on Emory University
The University Of Alabama did well this year, earning the #31 position. Located in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $24,496. See the full The University Of Alabama profile
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #32 position. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. 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 Studies And Professions students take on a median of $20,031 in debt. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
College Of William And Mary did well this year, earning the #33 position. Based in Williamsburg, VA, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. College Of William And Mary posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. See the full College Of William And Mary profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,383 in student loans. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Villanova University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Villanova University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $26,184 in debt. See the full Villanova University profile
Santa Clara University placed #36 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit school based in Santa Clara, CA. Santa Clara University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,293. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $20,144. See the full Santa Clara University profile
Washington University In St Louis landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $17,553. More on Washington University In St Louis
University Of California Irvine came in at #38 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
California Western School Of Law did well this year, earning the #39 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. Read more about California Western School Of Law
Drake University ranked #40 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. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Drake University Legal Studies And Professions students take on a median of $23,750 in debt. More on Drake University
University Of California Davis landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Davis, CA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Davis
Boston College landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chestnut Hill, MA. Boston College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read more about Boston College
University Of California Hastings College Of Law did well this year, earning the #44 position. Located 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
Suffolk University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Based in Boston, MA, Suffolk University is a private not-for-profit institution. Suffolk University graduates 61% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read more about Suffolk University
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public school based in Norman, OK. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. The median Legal Studies And Professions program debt is $23,138. Get the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus report
University Of Southern California came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based 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. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $15,625. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Arizona State University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Legal Studies And Professions schools. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,827 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Read the full report on Arizona State University
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #49 among Legal Studies And Professions schools in the United States. Based in Saint Paul, MN, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. More on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Georgia landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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
University Of Miami did well this year, earning the #51 position. Located in Coral Gables, FL, University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Typical Legal Studies And Professions student debt is $15,500. Get the full University Of Miami report
University Of Nebraska Lincoln did well this year, earning the #52 position. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school based in Lincoln, NE. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete their Legal Studies And Professions program here. Get the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln report
Related Legal Studies And Professions Rankings
Compare rankings at 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 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 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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