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CIP 22.0203 Legal Professions and Studies

American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

869

2025 · 38 schools

International share

39.2%

341 international students

Bachelor's degrees

43

11.6% international

Master's degrees

807

39.8% international

Overview

The field of American Law, also known as Legal Studies or Jurisprudence, encompasses the study of the legal system, principles, and institutions in the United States. It is an interdisciplinary field that combines elements of law, politics, philosophy, and social science to provide a comprehensive understanding of how law functions within American society.

Students of American Law engage in exploring various aspects of the legal system, including constitutional law, criminal law, civil rights law, and international law. They examine the historical development of laws and legal doctrines, analyze case studies, and discuss contemporary legal issues. Critical thinking and analytical skills are emphasized, as students learn to interpret statutes, evaluate legal arguments, and understand judicial reasoning.

Legal Studies programs often incorporate practical experiences such as internships, moot court competitions, and opportunities for community service, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. The curriculum may also cover topics like legal writing, research methodologies, and ethical considerations in law practice, preparing students for future careers in law, public policy, or related fields.

Graduates from American Law programs often pursue careers as attorneys, legal analysts, paralegals, or work in government agencies, non-profit organizations, and corporations. Additionally, many choose to continue their education in law school to earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, which is essential for practicing law in the United States.

Overall, the study of American Law is vital for understanding the complexities of the legal system and its impact on society, making it an essential area of academic inquiry and professional preparation.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2003 to 2025, graduates grew 960% and the international share went from 39.0% to 39.2%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
22.1%
Asian
6.1%
Hispanic
7.9%
Black
9.1%
Other
15.5%
Intl.
39.2%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 38 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#14 Cornell University New York 201 151
#16 Washington University in St Louis Missouri 17 15
#34 University of California-Irvine California 38 15
#44 Case Western Reserve University Ohio 7 7
#49 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Washington 52 29
#52 College of William and Mary Virginia 11 9
#59 Tulane University of Louisiana Louisiana 1 0
#73 University of Connecticut Connecticut 16 12
#73 Indiana University-Bloomington Indiana 2 1
#80 Pepperdine University California 1 1
#80 Drexel University Pennsylvania 37 1
#85 Southern Methodist University Texas 3 2
#90 Baylor University Texas 13 1
#95 American University D.C. 9 4
#116 University of Oregon Oregon 1 1
#121 University of the Pacific California 10 2
#121 University of Denver Colorado 4 0
#121 Illinois Institute of Technology Illinois 24 19
#121 Loyola University Chicago Illinois 12 3
#121 University of Dayton Ohio 102 1
#148 University of Kansas Kansas 1 0
#169 DePaul University Illinois 43 5
#191 Hofstra University New York 15 6
#250 Nova Southeastern University Florida 17 0
#276 Widener University Pennsylvania 18 18
#365 Liberty University Virginia 53 0
LAC #2 Amherst College Massachusetts 19 3
— St. Mary's University Texas 51 9
— Vermont Law and Graduate School Vermont 28 1
— University of California College of the Law-San Francisco California 23 21
— Loyola University New Orleans Louisiana 6 2
— Albany Law School New York 6 0
— Walsh University Ohio 6 0
— Winona State University Minnesota 5 0
— Florida Memorial University Florida 3 1
— Northcentral University California 2 0
— Golden Gate University California 1 0
— Owens Community College Ohio 1 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Lawyers 754,500 $89.35 $185,840
Law Teachers, Postsecondary 20,060 — $144,770

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2003–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.