Pre-Law Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Pre-Law Studies is an academic pathway designed to equip students with the intellectual foundation, analytical rigor, and critical reasoning skills essential for success in professional law programs. This interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizes the development of strong written and oral communication abilities, legal reasoning, and a deep understanding of societal structures and ethical frameworks.
- Constitutional Law: Explores the foundational principles of government, civil rights, and the interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, focusing on landmark cases and judicial reasoning.
- Civil Procedure: Introduces the rules and processes governing how civil lawsuits are initiated, managed, and resolved within the legal system.
- Legal Writing and Research: Develops proficiency in constructing persuasive arguments, analyzing legal texts, and navigating case law and statutes with precision.
- Political Science and Government: Examines the structure, function, and evolution of political institutions, including federalism, separation of powers, and policy-making processes.
- Ethics and Legal Philosophy: Investigates core moral principles that underlie legal decision-making, including justice, fairness, and the role of law in society.
- History and Social Context of Law: Traces the development of legal systems over time, highlighting the influence of historical events, cultural norms, and social movements on legal norms.
Pre-Law Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Pre-Law Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Pre-Law Studies degrees, including . These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements.
Career salary data is not available for this program.
Top Universities for Pre-Law Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 60 institutions offering Pre-Law Studies programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Pre-Law Studies is found at Liberty University (165 graduates), Michigan State University (MSU) (116 graduates), Trinity Law School (42 graduates), Texas A & M University, College Station (33 graduates), and Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) (30 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 723 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
165 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
116 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Trinity Law School |
Master's
|
42 | Santa Ana, California | Private | tiu.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Other Award
|
33 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Associate's
|
30 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| Siena College |
Other Award
|
30 | Loudonville, New York | Private | siena.edu |
| Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
22 | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Private | indianatech.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
20 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| National University (NU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| Husson University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
14 | Bangor, Maine | Private | husson.edu |
| Thomas Jefferson University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | jefferson.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Missouri Western State University (MWSU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Saint Joseph, Missouri | Public | missouriwestern.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
8 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Champlain College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Burlington, Vermont | Private | champlain.edu |
| Saint Norbert College (SNC) |
Other Award
|
8 | De Pere, Wisconsin | Private | snc.edu |
| Florida National University (FNU) |
Associate's
|
8 | Hialeah, Florida | Private | fnu.edu |
| Jacksonville University (JU) |
Other Award
|
6 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | ju.edu |
| Carl Albert State College (CASC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Poteau, Oklahoma | Public | carlalbert.edu |
| Linfield University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | McMinnville, Oregon | Private | linfield.edu |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | pucpr.edu |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | West Palm Beach, Florida | Private | pba.edu |
| Grand View University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Des Moines, Iowa | Private | grandview.edu |
| Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) |
Associate's
|
5 | Arnold, Maryland | Public | aacc.edu |
| Cedarville University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Cedarville, Ohio | Private | cedarville.edu |
| Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Delaware, Ohio | Private | owu.edu |
| DeSales University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Center Valley, Pennsylvania | Private | desales.edu |
| Augusta University (AU) |
Other Award
|
5 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augusta.edu |
| Barry University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Miami, Florida | Private | barry.edu |
| Buena Vista University (BVU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Storm Lake, Iowa | Private | bvu.edu |
| Howard Payne University (HPU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Brownwood, Texas | Private | hputx.edu |
| Indiana Institute of Technology |
Other Award
|
4 | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Private | cps.indianatech.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAFS) |
Other Award
|
3 | Fort Smith, Arkansas | Public | uafs.edu |
| Fresno Pacific University (FPU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Fresno, California | Private | fresno.edu |
| Humphreys University |
Associate's
|
3 | Stockton, California | Private | humphreys.edu |
| Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Melbourne, Florida | Private | fit.edu |
| Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Itta Bena, Mississippi | Public | mvsu.edu |
| Oklahoma Christian University (OC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Private | oc.edu |
| Charleston Southern University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Charleston, South Carolina | Private | charlestonsouthern.edu |
| Temple College |
Associate's
|
3 | Temple, Texas | Public | templejc.edu |
| Western Texas College (WTC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Snyder, Texas | Public | wtc.edu |
| Central Wyoming College (CWC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Riverton, Wyoming | Public | cwc.edu |
| Louisiana Christian University (LCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Pineville, Louisiana | Private | lcuniversity.edu |
| Creighton University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| Navajo Technical University (Navajo Tech) |
Associate's
|
2 | Crownpoint, New Mexico | Public | navajotech.edu |
| Connors State College (CSC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Warner, Oklahoma | Public | connorsstate.edu |
| Neumann University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Aston, Pennsylvania | Private | neumann.edu |
| Henderson State University (HSU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Public | hsu.edu |
| Emmanuel University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Franklin Springs, Georgia | Private | ec.edu |
| Alpena Community College (ACC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Alpena, Michigan | Public | alpenacc.edu |
| Madonna University |
Other Award
|
1 | Livonia, Michigan | Private | madonna.edu |
| Fontbonne University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | fontbonne.edu |
| Montreat College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Montreat, North Carolina | Private | montreat.edu |
| William Peace University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Private | peace.edu |
| The University of Findlay (UF) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Findlay, Ohio | Private | findlay.edu |
| Roger Williams University (RWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bristol, Rhode Island | Private | rwu.edu |
| Lubbock Christian University (LCU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lubbock, Texas | Private | lcu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Pre-Law Studies programs
Which universities have the largest Pre-Law Studies programs?
Currently 60 accredited institutions offer Pre-Law Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Liberty University (165 graduates), Michigan State University (MSU) (116 graduates), and Trinity Law School (42 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Pre-Law Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 362 in 2010 to 723 in 2023-24. This represents a 100% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
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