International Law and Legal Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
International Law and Legal Studies offers a rigorous academic exploration of the legal frameworks that govern global interactions. This program prepares students to analyze complex transnational issues through the lens of legal principles, institutions, and treaties that shape diplomacy, human rights, and global governance.
- Public International Law: Examines the rules and norms that regulate relations between sovereign states, including sovereignty, state responsibility, and the use of force.
- Human Rights Law: Focuses on the protection and promotion of fundamental rights and freedoms across national borders, including mechanisms for enforcement and accountability.
- International Organizations and Governance: Investigates the legal structures and operational frameworks of entities such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and European Union.
- Law of the Sea and Environmental Law: Addresses legal regimes governing maritime boundaries, ocean resources, and global environmental protection efforts.
- International Criminal Law: Studies the prosecution of individuals for serious crimes under international law, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
- International Trade and Investment Law: Explores legal standards that regulate cross-border commerce, dispute resolution, and foreign investment protections.
- Private International Law (Conflict of Laws): Analyzes how legal systems resolve disputes involving foreign elements, including jurisdiction, choice of law, and enforcement of foreign judgments.
International Law and Legal Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
International Law and Legal Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with International Law and Legal Studies 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 |
International Law and Legal Studies 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 International Law and Legal Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 21 institutions offering International Law and Legal 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 International Law and Legal Studies is found at New York University (NYU) (72 graduates), University of Miami (UM) (61 graduates), American University (AU) (55 graduates), Temple University (49 graduates), and George Washington University (GW) (36 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 414 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
|
72 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Master's
|
61 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Master's
|
55 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| Temple University |
Master's
|
49 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
36 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Master's
|
34 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
22 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Liberty University |
Master's
|
19 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| St. John's University (SJU) |
Master's
|
17 | Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
| Golden Gate University (GGU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | San Francisco, California | Private | ggu.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Post-Master's
|
8 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Master's
|
5 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| Tufts University |
Master's
|
5 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| University of the Pacific (UOP) |
Master's
|
4 | Stockton, California | Private | pacific.edu |
| Stetson University |
Master's
|
4 | DeLand, Florida | Private | stetson.edu |
| University of New Hampshire |
Master's
|
4 | Concord, New Hampshire | Public | law.unh.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Master's
|
3 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| DePaul University |
Master's
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
|
1 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about International Law and Legal Studies programs
How much can I earn with a International Law and Legal Studies degree?
Salaries for International Law and Legal Studies 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 International Law and Legal Studies programs?
Currently 21 accredited institutions offer International Law and Legal Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include New York University (NYU) (72 graduates), University of Miami (UM) (61 graduates), and American University (AU) (55 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 International Law and Legal Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 375 in 2010 to a peak of 508 in 2020, before declining slightly to 414 in 2023-24. This represents a 10% 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 International Law and Legal Studies 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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