Components of A Successful Career In Studies Degree
Legal studies is an academic field that covers the inner workings of our legal system. It includes topics such as court procedures, legal writing, court filing procedure, and more. Programs also cover related topics such as philosophy, statistics, and sociology. Thus, legal studies is an interdisciplinary field that affords students the chance to learn multiple viewpoints and skill sets.
Graduates of an undergraduate legal studies program are well-trained to work in law firms and law libraries. They are skilled in legal research and writing, as well. Legal studies students can become paralegals, docket experts, or legal secretaries, to name a few options. In fact, a legal studies student can find more opportunities than those in law firms. Corporations and government agencies also have a need for the skills taught in a legal studies degree program.
Once a legal studies student lands their first job in a company or law firm, they often find that they are on a career path that provides good pay and great job security. They can also specialize in specific areas of the law, such as criminal or torts law. Docketing, for instance, is a lesser known part of a law firm's operations that is vital for all cases. Docket experts ensure that all pertinent documents are properly filed and recorded while also conducting light research projects.
Compare Popular Online Legal Studies Programs
Top 15 Best Online Associate in Legal Studies Programs
Fox Valley Technical College
Score: 76.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,916
- Out-of-State: $7,109
- Net Price: $10,220
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 11,181
- Undergrad Students: 11,181
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $43,900
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Drury University
Score: 70.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,235
- Out-of-State: $35,235
- Net Price: $20,996
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 1,595
- Undergrad Students: 1,375
- Graduate Students: 220
- Grads Salary: $34,300
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Seminole State College of Florida
Score: 69.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,227
- Out-of-State: $11,447
- Net Price: $3,144
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 14,323
- Undergrad Students: 14,323
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $38,100
- Student-to-faculty: 26:1
Tallahassee Community College
Score: 69.52
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,026
- Out-of-State: $8,062
- Net Price: $3,138
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Total Enrollment: 11,266
- Undergrad Students: 11,266
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $36,600
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
Eastern Florida State College
Score: 69.39
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,496
- Out-of-State: $9,739
- Net Price: $5,927
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 13,114
- Undergrad Students: 13,114
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $33,700
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Itawamba Community College
Score: 68.05
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,420
- Out-of-State: $5,820
- Net Price: $3,972
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 4,599
- Undergrad Students: 4,599
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $31,500
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
St. Petersburg College
Score: 66.56
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,682
- Out-of-State: $9,286
- Net Price: $2,132
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 23,501
- Undergrad Students: 23,501
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $33,400
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Moraine Valley Community College
Score: 66.01
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,502
- Out-of-State: $9,846
- Net Price: $1,711
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 34%
- Total Enrollment: 10,511
- Undergrad Students: 10,511
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $33,200
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Peirce College
Score: 65.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,060
- Out-of-State: $15,060
- Net Price: $9,621
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 5%
- Total Enrollment: 856
- Undergrad Students: 762
- Graduate Students: 94
- Grads Salary: $47,600
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Montgomery College
Score: 63.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,398
- Out-of-State: $14,250
- Net Price: $8,276
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 28%
- Total Enrollment: 17,137
- Undergrad Students: 17,137
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $38,100
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Northern Virginia Community College
Score: 62.85
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,703
- Out-of-State: $11,786
- Net Price: $10,109
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 51,896
- Undergrad Students: 51,896
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $40,000
- Student-to-faculty: 28:1
Hillsborough Community College
Score: 61.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,506
- Out-of-State: $9,111
- Net Price: $3,628
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 19,504
- Undergrad Students: 19,504
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,900
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
Berkeley College-Woodland Park
Score: 60.5
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,600
- Out-of-State: $28,600
- Net Price: $17,068
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 2,078
- Undergrad Students: 1,944
- Graduate Students: 134
- Grads Salary: $35,900
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Iowa Lakes Community College
Score: 60.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,196
- Out-of-State: $7,644
- Net Price: $11,789
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Total Enrollment: 1,960
- Undergrad Students: 1,960
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,400
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Post University
Score: 57.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,100
- Out-of-State: $17,100
- Net Price: $18,307
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 35%
- Graduation Rate: 32%
- Total Enrollment: 17,034
- Undergrad Students: 14,682
- Graduate Students: 2,352
- Grads Salary: $43,500
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Top 25 Best Online Bachelors in Legal Studies Programs
University of Central Florida
Score: 82.96
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,368
- Out-of-State: $22,467
- Net Price: $13,108
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 68,346
- Undergrad Students: 58,662
- Graduate Students: 9,684
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 29:1
Webster University
Score: 80.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $30,730
- Out-of-State: $30,730
- Net Price: $23,069
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 6,396
- Undergrad Students: 2,197
- Graduate Students: 4,199
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
American Public University System
Score: 77.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,400
- Out-of-State: $8,400
- Net Price: $11,172
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 48,668
- Undergrad Students: 39,206
- Graduate Students: 9,462
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
University of Illinois Springfield
Score: 76.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,252
- Out-of-State: $22,017
- Net Price: $11,733
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 4,198
- Undergrad Students: 2,393
- Graduate Students: 1,805
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Florida Gulf Coast University
Score: 73.13
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,118
- Out-of-State: $25,162
- Net Price: $10,834
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 15,969
- Undergrad Students: 14,130
- Graduate Students: 1,839
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Mississippi College
Score: 72.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,698
- Out-of-State: $21,698
- Net Price: $20,874
- Acceptance Rate: 40%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 3,946
- Undergrad Students: 2,396
- Graduate Students: 1,550
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Dominican University
Score: 72.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,844
- Out-of-State: $37,844
- Net Price: $18,162
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 3,196
- Undergrad Students: 2,136
- Graduate Students: 1,060
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Stevenson University
Score: 70.81
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,708
- Out-of-State: $39,708
- Net Price: $27,600
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 3,483
- Undergrad Students: 2,985
- Graduate Students: 498
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
William Woods University
Score: 70.25
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,860
- Out-of-State: $28,860
- Net Price: $23,363
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 1,508
- Undergrad Students: 791
- Graduate Students: 717
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Regent University
Score: 70.18
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,686
- Out-of-State: $20,686
- Net Price: $17,341
- Acceptance Rate: 32%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 10,337
- Undergrad Students: 4,541
- Graduate Students: 5,796
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
University of Memphis
Score: 70.08
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,344
- Out-of-State: $14,784
- Net Price: $13,873
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 21,917
- Undergrad Students: 16,708
- Graduate Students: 5,209
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Davenport University
Score: 66.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $23,324
- Out-of-State: $23,324
- Net Price: $18,350
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 5,073
- Undergrad Students: 4,069
- Graduate Students: 1,004
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Berkeley College-Woodland Park
Score: 65.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,600
- Out-of-State: $28,600
- Net Price: $17,068
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 2,078
- Undergrad Students: 1,944
- Graduate Students: 134
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Northeastern State University
Score: 65.76
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,513
- Out-of-State: $16,633
- Net Price: $9,669
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 6,702
- Undergrad Students: 5,242
- Graduate Students: 1,460
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Hampton University
Score: 65.47
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,162
- Out-of-State: $29,162
- Net Price: $32,421
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 3,286
- Undergrad Students: 2,846
- Graduate Students: 440
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Score: 64.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,490
- Out-of-State: $33,490
- Net Price: $17,358
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 1,147
- Undergrad Students: 815
- Graduate Students: 332
- Grads Salary: $56,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Grand Canyon University
Score: 64.52
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,450
- Out-of-State: $17,450
- Net Price: $21,939
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 101,816
- Undergrad Students: 66,769
- Graduate Students: 35,047
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
PennWest California
Score: 64.24
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,388
- Out-of-State: $16,006
- Net Price: $18,527
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 12,778
- Undergrad Students: 9,404
- Graduate Students: 3,374
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
SUNY College of Technology at Canton
Score: 64.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,689
- Out-of-State: $13,519
- Net Price: $14,049
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 2,836
- Undergrad Students: 2,836
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Liberty University
Score: 63.79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,222
- Out-of-State: $21,222
- Net Price: $29,913
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 96,709
- Undergrad Students: 48,906
- Graduate Students: 47,803
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Bellevue University
Score: 63.34
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,886
- Out-of-State: $8,886
- Net Price: $24,767
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 51%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 13,841
- Undergrad Students: 10,808
- Graduate Students: 3,033
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of Maryland Global
Score: 62.29
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,992
- Out-of-State: $12,336
- Net Price: $16,957
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 43%
- Graduation Rate: 19%
- Total Enrollment: 55,838
- Undergrad Students: 46,734
- Graduate Students: 9,104
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Purdue Global
Score: 62.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,110
- Out-of-State: $14,421
- Net Price: $6,785
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 17%
- Graduation Rate: 20%
- Total Enrollment: 45,125
- Undergrad Students: 33,510
- Graduate Students: 11,615
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 26:1
UMass Global
Score: 61.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,520
- Out-of-State: $12,520
- Net Price: $32,807
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 40%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 8,689
- Undergrad Students: 4,822
- Graduate Students: 3,867
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Peirce College
Score: 61.05
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,060
- Out-of-State: $15,060
- Net Price: $9,621
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 100%
- Graduation Rate: 5%
- Total Enrollment: 856
- Undergrad Students: 762
- Graduate Students: 94
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Top 25 Best Online Masters in Legal Studies Programs
Cornell University
Score: 92.43
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $29,500
- Out-of-State: $29,500
- Net Price: $26,060
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 95%
- Total Enrollment: 25,898
- Undergrad Students: 15,735
- Graduate Students: 10,163
- Grads Salary: $93,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Washington University in St. Louis
Score: 88.98
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $61,750
- Out-of-State: $61,750
- Net Price: $23,432
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 17,012
- Undergrad Students: 8,132
- Graduate Students: 8,880
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
University of Southern California
Score: 87.01
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $66,640
- Out-of-State: $66,640
- Net Price: $36,808
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Total Enrollment: 48,945
- Undergrad Students: 20,699
- Graduate Students: 28,246
- Grads Salary: $92,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Northeastern University
Score: 83.38
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,728
- Out-of-State: $27,728
- Net Price: $35,827
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Total Enrollment: 30,013
- Undergrad Students: 16,302
- Graduate Students: 13,711
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Webster University
Score: 75.81
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,140
- Out-of-State: $13,140
- Net Price: $23,069
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 6,396
- Undergrad Students: 2,197
- Graduate Students: 4,199
- Grads Salary: $86,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
University of Arizona
Score: 75.47
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,718
- Out-of-State: $32,290
- Net Price: $17,075
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 49,403
- Undergrad Students: 38,751
- Graduate Students: 10,652
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Oklahoma
Score: 74.63
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,903
- Out-of-State: $25,163
- Net Price: $22,601
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 28,308
- Undergrad Students: 21,282
- Graduate Students: 7,026
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Drexel University
Score: 74.3
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,234
- Out-of-State: $36,234
- Net Price: $39,267
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 87%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 22,344
- Undergrad Students: 14,021
- Graduate Students: 8,323
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
Arizona State University
Score: 73.96
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,376
- Out-of-State: $25,722
- Net Price: $14,808
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 80,065
- Undergrad Students: 65,492
- Graduate Students: 14,573
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Pepperdine University
Score: 73.47
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,400
- Out-of-State: $41,400
- Net Price: $47,804
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Retention Rate: 88%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 10,030
- Undergrad Students: 3,662
- Graduate Students: 6,368
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Seattle University
Score: 73.17
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,012
- Out-of-State: $15,012
- Net Price: $35,412
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 7,121
- Undergrad Students: 4,046
- Graduate Students: 3,075
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
West Virginia University
Score: 72.75
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,908
- Out-of-State: $28,260
- Net Price: $12,202
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 24,741
- Undergrad Students: 19,059
- Graduate Students: 5,682
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Cincinnati
Score: 72.61
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,224
- Out-of-State: $24,996
- Net Price: $20,149
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 41,155
- Undergrad Students: 29,663
- Graduate Students: 11,492
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Seton Hall University
Score: 72.09
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,160
- Out-of-State: $35,160
- Net Price: $33,472
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 9,623
- Undergrad Students: 6,012
- Graduate Students: 3,611
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
University of Illinois Springfield
Score: 71.88
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,910
- Out-of-State: $16,146
- Net Price: $11,733
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 4,198
- Undergrad Students: 2,393
- Graduate Students: 1,805
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
American University
Score: 71.82
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $32,224
- Out-of-State: $32,224
- Net Price: $41,369
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Total Enrollment: 13,885
- Undergrad Students: 7,917
- Graduate Students: 5,968
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Hamline University
Score: 71.65
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,003
- Out-of-State: $10,003
- Net Price: $23,021
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 2,638
- Undergrad Students: 1,765
- Graduate Students: 873
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
American Public University System
Score: 71.65
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,650
- Out-of-State: $7,650
- Net Price: $11,172
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 48,668
- Undergrad Students: 39,206
- Graduate Students: 9,462
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
Northern Kentucky University
Score: 70.01
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,206
- Out-of-State: $15,660
- Net Price: $7,259
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 15,801
- Undergrad Students: 10,776
- Graduate Students: 5,025
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Samford University
Score: 68.65
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,904
- Out-of-State: $21,904
- Net Price: $31,803
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 5,682
- Undergrad Students: 3,672
- Graduate Students: 2,010
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Regent University
Score: 64.9
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,128
- Out-of-State: $16,128
- Net Price: $17,341
- Acceptance Rate: 32%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 10,337
- Undergrad Students: 4,541
- Graduate Students: 5,796
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
Saint Leo University
Score: 64.36
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,840
- Out-of-State: $15,840
- Net Price: $20,390
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 54%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 10,242
- Undergrad Students: 7,320
- Graduate Students: 2,922
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Liberty University
Score: 61.31
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,740
- Out-of-State: $7,740
- Net Price: $29,913
- Acceptance Rate: 99%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 96,709
- Undergrad Students: 48,906
- Graduate Students: 47,803
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Pennsylvania Western University
Score: 60.94
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,288
- Out-of-State: $9,468
- Net Price: $18,527
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 48%
- Total Enrollment: 12,778
- Undergrad Students: 9,404
- Graduate Students: 3,374
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Purdue Global
Score: 57.71
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,547
- Out-of-State: $10,608
- Net Price: $6,785
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 17%
- Graduation Rate: 20%
- Total Enrollment: 45,125
- Undergrad Students: 33,510
- Graduate Students: 11,615
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 26:1
Search Online Colleges Offering Legal Studies Majors
Majors Available
Students who are interested in legal studies should first find a degree program that meets their specific needs. It's worth noting that not all associated degrees have the title legal studies but may be called business law, environmental law, or something else. If there is some confusion, a simple call to the department chair should help clarify what the degree program offers and how it aligns with legal studies.
In fact, many legal studies departments offer a general curriculum with a few focus areas. Students should make sure that their first choice of specialty is available. Students should also investigate other departments in the college or university so that they can take a minor concentration or double major that will enhance their legal studies focus. Some options may include political science, statistics, economics, business, and even philosophy.
Accreditation – Regional and Programmatic
Accreditation is a fundamental part of finding the best legal studies degree program. This is a way of verifying that the school has been vetted by an independent agency along a number of metrics. Accreditation agencies scrutinize each program's faculty, curriculum, materials, and student experiences. For the best legal studies program, seek out only programs that have at least a regional accreditation credential.
To ensure that a program has acceptable accreditation, look for words such as ‘regional accreditation’. Then make sure that their regional accrediting body is CHEA approved. CHEA is the preeminent accrediting body for the United States and all academic programs should hold credentials from them or an agency they approve.
Legal studies degree programs should carry CHEA-approved accreditation for a number of reasons. The primary reason is so that students will have a degree that is recognized by employers. In the last ten or more years, we've seen non-accredited colleges sued and forced to reimburse students. Those students then had to return to a valid, accredited degree program in order to get their career started.
The second reason is for further academic work. Graduate legal studies departments will not admit a student who doesn't have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. This can stymie professional advancement and necessitate that the student return to school for an accredited degree.
Some degrees have programmatic accreditation, but legal studies does not yet have a special accrediting body. A programmatic accreditation focuses on a specific academic area, such as business or STEM, and assesses programs along more stringent criteria. Perhaps someday there will be a programmatic accreditation for legal studies.
Program Length
Students are often concerned about the length of their legal studies program. Students who don't yet have an undergraduate degree can choose a two-year associate legal studies degree program. That degree is good for some entry-level positions and may be sufficient for many paralegal positions.
However, since the legal profession is academic by nature, a bachelor's legal studies degree will be preferred. In fact, students who are fortunate to have an accelerated master's degree program available should consider that. In an accelerated program, students are able to earn their undergraduate and graduate degrees in a mere five years. However, this option is intensive and is unlikely to leave time for work. However, those who are able to complete their master's legal studies degree are sure to start their working life with a higher pay rate and job status.
Potential Careers and Salaries for Legal Studies Graduates
A legal studies professional can find work under a number of different job titles. In fact, it's a very versatile degree that can lead to a wide range of career opportunities. Some even take their legal studies work clear through a PhD and then teach graduate and undergraduate students. Here is a brief list of the career options available to a legal studies degree holder.
- Paralegal: Average salary is $50,000.
- Sr. Research Analyst: Average salary is $82,000.
- Legal Assistant: Average salary is $49,000.
- Contract Specialist: Average salary is $61,000.
- Contracts Manager: Average salary is $87,000.
- Corporate Paralegal: Average salary is $79,000.
- Human Resources Manager: Average salary is $70,000.
- Practice Manager: Average salary is $70,000.
- Office Manager: Average salary is $52,000.
- Intellectual Property Paralegal: Average salary is $68,000.