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CollegeROI

Law & Public Policy Majors — ROI Rankings (2026)

13 law & public policy majors across 377 school-major combinations analyzed for debt, earnings, and job market outlook.

13
Majors
56/100
Avg ROI Score
$27K
Avg Median Debt
$52K
Avg Year 1 Earnings

Law & Public Policy Majors by Average ROI

#MajorAvg ROI Score
1Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies65/100
2Legal Professions and Studies63/100
3International Relations and National Security Studies62/100
4Legal Support Services62/100
5Legal Professions and Studies, Other62/100
6Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution60/100
7Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations57/100
8Fire Protection52/100
9Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other52/100
10Homeland Security51/100
11Public Administration47/100
12Public Policy Analysis47/100
13Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other44/100

Top 50 Law & Public Policy Programs by ROI

#SchoolMajorROI Score
1National American University-Rapid CityLegal Support Services75/100
2National American University-Rapid CityLegal Professions and Studies, Other75/100
3Tulane University of LouisianaInternational Relations and National Security Studies74/100
4East Central UniversityLegal Professions and Studies73/100
5William Peace UniversityLegal Professions and Studies71/100
6Wilmington UniversityLegal Support Services71/100
7Thomas More UniversityLegal Professions and Studies70/100
8Berea CollegePeace Studies and Conflict Resolution69/100
9National American University-Rapid CityIntelligence, Command Control and Information Operations69/100
10Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-PonceLegal Professions and Studies69/100
11Vassar CollegeInternational Relations and National Security Studies69/100
12CUNY New York City College of TechnologyLegal Support Services68/100
13Hamilton CollegeInternational Relations and National Security Studies68/100
14Wellesley CollegeInternational Relations and National Security Studies68/100
15Georgetown UniversityInternational Relations and National Security Studies67/100
16University of California-BerkeleyLegal Professions and Studies67/100
17University of California-Santa CruzLegal Professions and Studies67/100
18American UniversityLegal Professions and Studies66/100
19Amherst CollegeLegal Research and Advanced Professional Studies66/100
20Bethany Lutheran CollegeLegal Professions and Studies66/100
21Carleton CollegeInternational Relations and National Security Studies66/100
22Claremont McKenna CollegeInternational Relations and National Security Studies66/100
23CUNY John Jay College of Criminal JusticeLegal Professions and Studies66/100
24Georgia Military CollegeHomeland Security66/100
25Goldey-Beacom CollegeLegal Professions and Studies66/100
26Lafayette CollegeInternational Relations and National Security Studies66/100
27Paul Quinn CollegeLegal Professions and Studies66/100
28St Petersburg CollegeLegal Support Services66/100
29Thomas Jefferson UniversityLegal Professions and Studies66/100
30Tufts UniversityInternational Relations and National Security Studies66/100
31United States Air Force AcademyLegal Professions and Studies66/100
32United States Military AcademyLegal Professions and Studies66/100
33Unity Environmental UniversityLegal Research and Advanced Professional Studies66/100
34Colgate UniversityInternational Relations and National Security Studies65/100
35Dickinson CollegeLegal Professions and Studies65/100
36Emmanuel UniversityLegal Professions and Studies65/100
37Green River CollegeLegal Support Services65/100
38Hobart William Smith CollegesInternational Relations and National Security Studies65/100
39Howard Payne UniversityLegal Professions and Studies65/100
40James Madison UniversityLegal Research and Advanced Professional Studies65/100
41Lake Erie CollegeLegal Support Services65/100
42Mississippi Valley State UniversityLegal Professions and Studies65/100
43Mount Holyoke CollegeInternational Relations and National Security Studies65/100
44Nazareth UniversityLegal Professions and Studies, Other65/100
45Roger Williams UniversityLegal Professions and Studies, Other65/100
46University of ArizonaLegal Professions and Studies, Other65/100
47University of DenverLegal Professions and Studies65/100
48University of Washington-Tacoma CampusLegal Professions and Studies65/100
49Clayton State UniversityLegal Support Services64/100
50College of Saint MaryLegal Support Services64/100

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Frequently Asked Questions

CollegeROI tracks 13 law & public policy majors across 377 school-major combinations with detailed debt and earnings data.

The average ROI Score for law & public policy programs is 56/100. Average median debt is $27K with average first-year earnings of $52K.

Among law & public policy majors, Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies has the highest average ROI Score at 65/100. The best individual program is National American University-Rapid City in Legal Support Services with a score of 75/100.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics
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