Tax Law and Taxation: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for students seeking expertise in the legal and procedural frameworks governing financial obligations, this program provides a rigorous academic exploration of tax law and taxation systems within the United States and Canada. It prepares learners to analyze complex tax regulations, interpret legislative changes, and apply principles to real-world scenarios involving both individual and corporate taxpayers.
- Federal and Provincial Taxation Systems: Examination of the structure, administration, and interplay between national and regional tax laws, including income, sales, and payroll taxes.
- Corporate Taxation: In-depth study of tax compliance, planning strategies, and reporting requirements for business entities across different legal and economic structures.
- Individual Taxation: Analysis of personal income tax liabilities, deductions, credits, and filing obligations under current federal and provincial regulations.
- International Taxation: Exploration of cross-border tax implications, transfer pricing, foreign income reporting, and treaties designed to prevent double taxation.
- Tax Compliance and Auditing: Training in documentation standards, audit procedures, and ethical practices essential for maintaining legal adherence in tax reporting.
- Legislative and Judicial Interpretation: Study of how tax statutes are drafted, amended, and interpreted by courts, including landmark cases and regulatory guidance.
- Advanced Tax Planning: Development of strategic frameworks for minimizing tax exposure while remaining fully compliant with evolving legal standards.
Tax Law and Taxation Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Tax Law and Taxation Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Tax Law and Taxation 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 |
Tax Law and Taxation 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 Tax Law and Taxation by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 29 institutions offering Tax Law and Taxation 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 Tax Law and Taxation is found at Georgetown University (GU) (120 graduates), New York University (NYU) (94 graduates), Villanova University (90 graduates), University of Florida (UF) (72 graduates), and Northwestern University (61 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 760 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Master's
|
120 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
94 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Villanova University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
90 | Villanova, Pennsylvania | Private | villanova.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
72 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
61 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| University of San Francisco (USF) |
Master's
|
50 | San Francisco, California | Private | usfca.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
49 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Master's
|
30 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Post-Master's
|
23 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Master's
|
21 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
Post-Master's
|
20 | Los Angeles, California | Private | lmu.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Master's
|
15 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Loyola University Chicago (LUC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
15 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | luc.edu |
| University of San Diego (USD) |
Master's
|
13 | San Diego, California | Private | sandiego.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Postbac Cert.
|
13 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| University of Baltimore (UBalt) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
10 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | ubalt.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
10 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Thomas M Cooley Law School |
Master's
|
8 | Lansing, Michigan | Private | cooley.edu |
| Taft University System (TUS) |
Master's
|
7 | Denver, Colorado | Private | taftu.edu |
| Golden Gate University (GGU) |
Master's
|
6 | San Francisco, California | Private | ggu.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Master's
|
6 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Master's
|
6 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| University of Missouri (UMKC) |
Master's
|
5 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | umkc.edu |
| New York Law School (NYLS) |
Master's
|
5 | New York, New York | Private | nyls.edu |
| MiraCosta College |
Other Award
|
4 | Oceanside, California | Public | miracosta.edu |
| Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Master's
|
4 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
| DePaul University |
Master's
|
1 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| National Paralegal College (NPC) |
Master's
|
1 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | nationalparalegal.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Tax Law and Taxation programs
How much can I earn with a Tax Law and Taxation degree?
Salaries for Tax Law and Taxation 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 Tax Law and Taxation programs?
Currently 29 accredited institutions offer Tax Law and Taxation degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Georgetown University (GU) (120 graduates), New York University (NYU) (94 graduates), and Villanova University (90 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 Tax Law and Taxation growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 875 in 2010 to a peak of 860 in 2020, before declining slightly to 760 in 2023-24. This represents a 13% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Tax Law and Taxation 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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