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2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k

103 Ranked Colleges
8,483 Degrees Awarded
$41,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master's For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 9,738 people earned their degree in legal research, making the major the 89th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, legal research graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $64,635 and had an average of $65,122 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 8,483 legal research graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 103 colleges that offered a degree in legal research. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great legal research programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the legal research program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k.

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Harvard University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 178 masters’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654.

Read more about Legal Research at Harvard University

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#10 in overall quality

Out of the 103 schools in the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 82 degrees to qualified masters’s legal research students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree legal research students whose families make $48-$75k list, Stanford has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Stanford University Legal Research Report

#3

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 82 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Research at UChicago

#4

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 267 degrees to qualified masters’s legal research students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567.

Full Northwestern Legal Research Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia University in the City of New York. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k. Columbia University in the City of New York is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 306 masters’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree legal research students whose families make $48-$75k list, Columbia has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Research at Columbia

#6

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Georgetown is located in Washington, District of Columbia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 648 masters’s legal research degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Georgetown, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown University are $53,591, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Research at Georgetown

#7

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#15 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 66 degrees to qualified masters’s legal research students in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624.

Read full report on Legal Research at Vanderbilt University

#8

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#9 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 28 degrees to qualified masters’s legal research students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree legal research students whose families make $48-$75k list, UPenn has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Pennsylvania Legal Research Report

#9

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

With a ranking of #9, University of Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 107 masters’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130.

Read more about Legal Research at University of Florida

#10

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

Washington University in St Louis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 306 degrees to qualified masters’s legal research students in 2019-2020.

WUSTL also made our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Research at Washington University in St Louis

#11

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s legal research degrees to 40 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree legal research students whose families make $48-$75k list, U-M has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Research at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#12

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 330 masters’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Research at University of California - Berkeley

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UW Seattle is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 95 masters’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also took the #22 spot in our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Research at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#14

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#18 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UCLA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 208 masters’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Legal Research Report

#15

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#17 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 50 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia also made our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia are $32,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Legal Research Report

#16

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 31 diplomas to qualified masters’s legal research students in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #19. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522.

Full University of Notre Dame Legal Research Report

#17

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#25 in overall quality

Wake Forest University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 47 masters’s legal research degrees to qualified students.

Wake Forest University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wake Forest University are $39,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Research at Wake Forest University

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 39 masters’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Research at UW - Madison

#19

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s legal research degrees to 240 students in 2019-2020.

Boston U also took the #8 spot in our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666.

Read full report on Legal Research at Boston U

#20

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 79 masters’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.

Emory also made our “Best Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Research at Emory University

#21

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Florida State University is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 80 masters’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707.

Read more about Legal Research at Florida State

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. The University of Texas at Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 35 masters’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886.

Full UT Austin Legal Research Report

Florida International University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s legal research degrees to 36 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211.

Full FIU Legal Research Report

#24

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 52 masters’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Legal Research Report

With a ranking of #25, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Research Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 47 masters’s legal research degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Research at University of California - Irvine

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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