Compare 31 Legal Studies. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $56,733. Top programs: $99,836+.
Legal Studies programs produce graduates earning between $54,899 and $99,836—a $45K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 31 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation. The data is clear: choosing the right program beats chasing the right school name.
Topping the list, the University of Miami's Legal Studies program delivers $99,836 in median earnings—nearly $43K above the national average of $56,733 across ranked programs. The contrast sharpens further down the list: Michigan State ($72,414) and the University of Washington-Seattle ($71,042) both outperform several private institutions, proving that program outcomes don't mirror school prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Miami graduates borrow just $17,500 in student loans and face a 3.1% payment burden, landing firmly in the 'Excellent' category. For families weighing parent loans, Miami still leads with a 10.7% combined burden—rated 'Good'—making it a rare program that wins on both earnings and affordability simultaneously.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of MiamiPrivate | $99,836 | 48 | $17,500 | Excellent | $37,267 | Good |
| #2 | Quinnipiac UniversityPrivate | $74,835 | 20 | $26,000 | Excellent | $64,334 | High |
| #3 | American UniversityPrivate | $72,792 | 30 | $22,750 | Excellent | $39,169 | Challenging |
| #4 | $72,414 | 110 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $71,042 | 100 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $70,636 | 218 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Suffolk UniversityPrivate | $70,274 | 82 | $26,889 | Excellent | $38,234 | Challenging |
| #8 | $70,123 | 113 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $69,269 | 110 | $22,763 | Excellent | $26,243 | Manageable | |
| #10 | Lipscomb UniversityPrivate | $66,804 | 12 | — | — | — | — |
| #11 | University Of La VernePrivate | $66,373 | 14 | $23,500 | Excellent | $27,977 | Manageable |
| #12 | $66,244 | 131 | $16,666 | Excellent | $28,682 | Manageable | |
| #13 | Hamline UniversityPrivate | $65,460 | 36 | $23,770 | Excellent | $22,739 | Manageable |
| #14 | $65,316 | 112 | $25,000 | Good | $54,289 | High | |
| #15 | University Of DenverPrivate | $63,727 | 19 | $21,844 | Excellent | $27,813 | Manageable |
| #16 | $61,356 | 120 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Manageable | |
| #17 | University Of New HavenPrivate | $60,438 | 9 | $27,000 | Good | $54,414 | High |
| #18 | $59,715 | 235 | $18,190 | Excellent | $16,036 | Manageable | |
| #19 | $57,073 | 144 | $11,000 | Excellent | $16,130 | Good | |
| #20 | St. John Fisher UniversityPrivate | $54,899 | 14 | $23,250 | Good | $37,716 | High |
| #21 | Mercy UniversityPrivate | $51,161 | 16 | $19,637 | Good | $20,710 | Challenging |
| #22 | Bay Path UniversityPrivate | $48,575 | 6 | $24,901 | Manageable | $16,500 | Challenging |
| #23 | Webster UniversityPrivate | $41,789 | 15 | — | — | — | — |
| #24 | $41,565 | 7 | — | — | — | — | |
| #25 | $40,990 | 23 | $22,250 | Manageable | $10,050 | 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
