Compare 11 Legal Studies. programs in the South. Average earnings: $45,762.
The highest-earning Legal Studies program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $44K earnings gap across 11 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Lipscomb University's Legal Studies program leads with graduates earning $66,804, well above the regional average of $45,762. American University follows at $64,040, while University of Miami rounds out the top three at $62,790. These outcomes demonstrate that program quality varies independently of overall school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Lipscomb graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 6.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.29.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lipscomb UniversityPrivate | $66,804 | 18 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,298 | Manageable |
| #2 | American UniversityPrivate | $64,040 | 31 | $22,750 | Excellent | $39,169 | Challenging |
| #3 | University Of MiamiPrivate | $62,790 | 48 | $17,500 | Excellent | $37,267 | Challenging |
| #4 | $62,154 | 18 | $24,872 | Good | $13,279 | Manageable | |
| #5 | Nova Southeastern UniversityPrivate | $54,072 | 9 | $24,250 | Good | $21,738 | Challenging |
| #6 | $41,565 | 15 | $21,000 | Manageable | $15,191 | High | |
| #7 | $38,387 | 26 | $20,000 | Manageable | $29,387 | High | |
| #8 | $34,408 | 214 | $18,190 | Challenging | $16,036 | High | |
| #9 | $28,504 | 17 | $22,250 | High | $10,050 | High | |
| #10 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $27,637 | 64 | $24,500 | High | $16,398 | High |
| #11 | $23,017 | 38 | $20,500 | High | $13,859 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
