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Legal studies


What are legal studies majors?

Legal studies programs can provide students with the opportunity to learn about the law and the legal system. They can also prepare students for careers in the legal field. Most legal studies programs will offer courses in topics such as constitutional law, civil procedure, and criminal law. Students will also have the opportunity to take courses in other areas of the law, such as business law or family law. In addition to taking coursework, many legal studies programs will also require students to complete an internship. Internships can give students the chance to gain real-world experience.

How much do legal studies majors make?

Legal studies graduates typically make between $40,000 and $100,000 per year. The national average of reported salaries for legal studies degrees is $65,000.
Legal studies majorsAverage salarySalary
Pre-law studies$65,000
General legal studiesNo data
ParalegalNo data

Popular legal studies majors by degrees awarded

On average, around 10,600 students obtain a bachelor's degree or associate degree in all legal studies fields each year. In 2021, the most popular major within legal studies was paralegal with 965 students obtaining a bachelor's degree and 5,183 students obtaining an associate degree. The least popular major was pre-law studies with 331 students obtaining a bachelor's degree and 91 students obtaining an associate degree. Overall, legal studies is a relatively uncommon area of study.