Corporate and Securities Law: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for students seeking expertise in the legal frameworks governing modern business and financial markets, this program offers a rigorous exploration of the laws shaping corporate governance, market integrity, and financial transactions. It prepares learners to navigate complex regulatory environments with precision, ethical judgment, and strategic insight.
- Corporate Law: Examines the legal structure, governance, and operational responsibilities of corporations, including fiduciary duties, board oversight, and shareholder rights.
- Antitrust Law: Focuses on legal principles that promote fair competition, prevent monopolistic practices, and regulate mergers and acquisitions to protect market dynamics.
- Securities Law and Regulation: Covers federal and state rules governing the issuance, trading, and disclosure of securities, with emphasis on compliance, investor protection, and enforcement mechanisms.
- Negotiation and Transactional Skills: Develops strategic communication and drafting abilities essential for structuring business agreements, mergers, and financial deals.
- Incorporation and Entity Formation: Explores the legal processes and documentation required to establish and formalize business entities, including LLCs, corporations, and nonprofit organizations.
- Partnerships and Joint Ventures: Analyzes the legal frameworks for collaborative business arrangements, including profit sharing, liability allocation, and dissolution procedures.
- Trusts and Estate Planning: Investigates the use of trusts in asset protection, wealth transfer, and fiduciary management within corporate and personal contexts.
Corporate and Securities Law Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Corporate and Securities Law Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Corporate and Securities Law degrees, including Lawyers and Law Teachers, Postsecondary. 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. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 770,550 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyers 23-1011 | $151,160 | $72,780 - $239,200 | 747,750 | $72.67 |
| Law Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1112 | $126,650 | $58,330 - $239,200 | 22,800 | N/A |
Corporate and Securities Law Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $79,245 in Mississippi to $172,710 in Delaware—a 118% difference. The highest-paying states include Delaware, Massachusetts, and Colorado. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 770,550 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Corporate and Securities Law by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 23 institutions offering Corporate and Securities Law 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 Corporate and Securities Law is found at New York University (NYU) (107 graduates), Loyola University Chicago (LUC) (67 graduates), Boston University (BU) (38 graduates), Widener University (26 graduates), and University of Southern California (USC) (22 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 426 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
107 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
67 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
38 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Widener University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
26 | Chester, Pennsylvania | Private | widener.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Post-Master's
|
22 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Master's
|
22 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
20 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Master's
|
18 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Postbac Cert.
|
16 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) |
Master's
|
15 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | iit.edu |
| Temple University |
Post-Master's
|
12 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Master's
|
8 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| National Paralegal College (NPC) |
Master's
|
6 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | nationalparalegal.edu |
| St. John's University (SJU) |
Master's
|
5 | Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Master's
|
4 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| George Mason University |
Master's
|
4 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| Samford University |
Master's
|
3 | Birmingham, Alabama | Private | samford.edu |
| Thomas M Cooley Law School |
Master's
|
3 | Lansing, Michigan | Private | cooley.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
2 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Corporate and Securities Law programs
How much can I earn with a Corporate and Securities Law degree?
Salaries for Corporate and Securities Law graduates vary by role and location. Lawyers earn a median of $151,160 annually, while Law Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $126,650. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Delaware average $172,710 compared to $79,245 in Mississippi. Approximately 770,550 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Corporate and Securities Law programs?
Currently 23 accredited institutions offer Corporate and Securities Law degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include New York University (NYU) (107 graduates), Loyola University Chicago (LUC) (67 graduates), and Boston University (BU) (38 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 Corporate and Securities Law growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 177 in 2010 to 426 in 2023-24. This represents a 141% 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.
What career paths are available with a Corporate and Securities Law degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Lawyers, Law Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 770,550 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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