BUSINESS
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The most versatile degree in America — marketing, finance, accounting, and management skills that transfer into every industry, from healthcare to tech.
BUSINESS
Legal Studies
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Legal Studies
Pre-law, paralegal studies, and legal foundations — prepares you for law school or immediate careers in compliance, advocacy, and public policy work. Graduates earn a national median of $61,959 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 980 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 64,269 students complete degrees in this area each year.
- Median Earnings · 1yr
- $38,658
- Median Earnings · 4yr
- $61,959
- Colleges Offering
- 980
- Graduates / Year
- 64,269
- Specializations
- 4
- Avg Net Price / yr
- $28,038
Is a Legal Studies Degree Right for You?
$61,959
Median earnings · 4yr
+4.1%
10yr job growth
4
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~3.5
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
Solid ROI. Median earnings of $61,959 after 4 years. Against an estimated $112,152 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.5 years.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Legal Studies Majors Earn?
Legal Studies graduates start at a median $38,658 one year out and reach $61,959 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 980 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$38,658
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$61,959
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$57,570
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
Earnings Range Across Specializations
Not all Legal Studies specializations pay the same. The most lucrative programs pay $142,745/yr nationally, while the lowest-earning specializations average $53,266/yr. See the Specializations section below for a program-by-program breakdown.
$53,266
Lowest
$61,959
Median
$142,745
Highest
What Can You Do With a Legal Studies Degree?
Career Paths for Legal Studies Graduates
Legal Studies connects to 8 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Lawyer leads in median earnings at $159,670/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Lawyer
Doctoral or professional degree
$159,670
↗ +4.1% growth
Judge
Doctoral or professional degree
$153,990
↗ +2.5% growth
Law Teachers
Doctoral or professional degree
$128,500
↗ +2.2% growth
Administrative Law Judges
Doctoral or professional degree
$117,860
↘ -0.7% growth
Arbitrators & Mediators
Bachelor's degree
$75,530
↗ +4.3% growth
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
Postsecondary nondegree award
$72,420
↘ -0.3% growth
Judicial Law Clerks
Doctoral or professional degree
$64,920
↗ +2.5% growth
Paralegal
Associate's degree
$62,890
↗ +0.2% growth
Legal Studies Specializations
Legal Studies breaks into 5 specializations. Earnings range widely from $53,266 to $142,745 at the four-year mark. Each row links to a dedicated program profile. Sorted highest-paying first, based on national College Scorecard data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Legal Studies
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Legal Studies graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
Georgetown University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
Acceptance
12.9%
Net price/yr
$40,815
Earnings 10yr
$103,494
Grad rate
90%
2
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
9.8%
Net price/yr
$32,740
Earnings 10yr
$92,498
Grad rate
88%
3
New York University
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
9.2%
Net price/yr
$37,050
Earnings 10yr
$82,509
Grad rate
76%
4
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Acceptance
11%
Net price/yr
$13,481
Earnings 10yr
$92,446
Grad rate
74%
5
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Nonprofit
Acceptance
12.1%
Net price/yr
$21,786
Earnings 10yr
$86,182
Grad rate
91%
6
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
4%
Net price/yr
$21,590
Earnings 10yr
$102,491
Grad rate
79%
7
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public
Acceptance
57.4%
Net price/yr
$21,315
Earnings 10yr
$72,097
Grad rate
80%
8
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
3.7%
Net price/yr
$19,066
Earnings 10yr
$101,817
Grad rate
87%
9
George Washington University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
Acceptance
47.1%
Net price/yr
$36,586
Earnings 10yr
$90,873
Grad rate
78%
10
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
7.7%
Net price/yr
$29,167
Earnings 10yr
$89,363
Grad rate
89%
11
Fordham University
Bronx, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
59.3%
Net price/yr
$44,338
Earnings 10yr
$85,569
Grad rate
78%
12
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Acceptance
9%
Net price/yr
$12,548
Earnings 10yr
$82,511
Grad rate
82%
13
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
18.9%
Net price/yr
$37,244
Earnings 10yr
$75,328
Grad rate
77%
14
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
99%
Net price/yr
$29,357
Earnings 10yr
$44,813
Grad rate
34%
15
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe, AZ · Public
Acceptance
89.9%
Net price/yr
$14,967
Earnings 10yr
$62,668
Grad rate
59%
16
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL · Nonprofit
Acceptance
81.6%
Net price/yr
$36,079
Earnings 10yr
$71,530
Grad rate
70%
17
American University
Washington, DC · Nonprofit
Acceptance
62%
Net price/yr
$41,943
Earnings 10yr
$77,370
Grad rate
78%
18
Suffolk University
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
82.3%
Net price/yr
$29,618
Earnings 10yr
$67,506
Grad rate
62%
19
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ · Public
Acceptance
86.1%
Net price/yr
$16,674
Earnings 10yr
$59,979
Grad rate
58%
20
Boston University
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
11.1%
Net price/yr
$24,402
Earnings 10yr
$83,238
Grad rate
81%
Ranked by number of Legal Studies graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →
How Legal Studies Compares to Similar Majors
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
Plan Your Path
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Legal Studies degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Legal Studies degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Legal Studies Degree: Pros & Cons
Legal Studies carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 4 strengths and 1 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
- Above-average earnings Four-year median of $61,959 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science fields.
- Wide availability Offered at 980 colleges nationwide, including community colleges and online programs.
- High-earning specializations available Top specializations report median earnings of $142,745, creating strong upside for students who choose a high-demand track.
- Strong salary growth Median salary grows from $38,658 at graduation to $61,959 four years later, indicating solid career momentum.
CONS
- Declining roles in some areas 2 related careers within this field show negative 10-year employment projections per BLS. Research specific roles carefully before committing.
Legal Studies Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Legal Studies graduates earn?
Legal Studies graduates earn a national median of $61,959 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Legal Studies degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Legal Studies degree holders is $38,658 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Legal Studies degree?
Legal Studies degree holders work in a range of careers. Lawyer is one of the top roles by median wage ($159,670/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Legal Studies?
980 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Legal Studies, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Legal Studies degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $61,959 and an average net price of roughly $28,038/yr across institutions offering this major, a Legal Studies degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Legal Studies degree?
A bachelor's degree in Legal Studies typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Legal Studies graduates?
Employers hiring Legal Studies graduates consistently prioritize financial analysis, communication, project management, and strategic thinking. Employers frequently look for candidates with internship experience and proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, or business software.
Is graduate school worth it for Legal Studies graduates?
An MBA can boost earnings and open paths to management and strategy roles. ROI is strongest at selective programs with strong recruiting pipelines and if you target roles that specifically value the credential. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly requires or rewards an advanced credential.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Legal Studies graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Legal Studies graduates is steady but slow, with an average of +1.9% projected growth across related occupations. Arbitrators & Mediators is among the strongest-growth roles at +4.3%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
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