Best Master’s in Legal Studies (MLS) Online Programs of 2025
A master’s in legal studies can lead to many careers in law and justice. Find the best programs of 2025.
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2025You don’t have to become a lawyer to learn about the law. With a master’s in legal studies (MLS), you’ll learn all about legal regulations and processes.
An alternative to the Juris Doctor (JD), the MLS can help you understand how law influences your work. This is particularly helpful if your industry is heavily regulated or if your work involves legal matters — however, it does not allow you to practice law.
We’ve ranked the best master’s program in legal studies to help you begin your search.
Online Master’s in Legal Studies Highlights
- Online master’s programs in legal studies take around two years to complete.
- The average net price of online master’s degrees in legal studies is $17,478.
- The degree can prepare you for law school and doctoral law programs.
Source: NCES
2025 Best Online Master’s in Legal Studies (MLS) Programs
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ4 yearCampus + Online
$12,348
$32,290
86%
60%
Why We Chose This School
The University of Arizona master of legal studies program is affordable, self-paced, and taught by the same top-tier faculty as U of A's JD program. The program also has strong retention and graduation rates.
In this program, you can specialize in criminal law and policy, human rights, intellectual property, and international trade and business law. Students are not required to complete a thesis or capstone project to graduate.
Full-time students can complete the master's program in just one year — the using fall, spring, and summer semesters — but it's advised that working students take two years to complete the program.
Pros
- No GRE or LSAT required
- One year program
Cons
- Low admission rate
- Must complete degree requirements in six years
$11,210
$35,628
88%
53,187
Public
Yes
$12,348
$32,290
Tucson, AZ4 yearCampus + Online
$12,348
$32,290
86%
60%
$11,210
$35,628
88%
53,187
Public
Yes
Why We Chose This School
The University of Arizona master of legal studies program is affordable, self-paced, and taught by the same top-tier faculty as U of A's JD program. The program also has strong retention and graduation rates.
In this program, you can specialize in criminal law and policy, human rights, intellectual property, and international trade and business law. Students are not required to complete a thesis or capstone project to graduate.
Full-time students can complete the master's program in just one year — the using fall, spring, and summer semesters — but it's advised that working students take two years to complete the program.
Pros
- No GRE or LSAT required
- One year program
Cons
- Low admission rate
- Must complete degree requirements in six years
Ohio University-Main Campus
Athens, OH4 yearCampus + Online
$9,444
$17,436
85%
63%
Why We Chose This School
Ohio University's MA in law, justice, and culture is a 32-credit program offered both online and in-person at the main campus. We chose this program because of its commitment to teaching students to critically analyze laws and apply their knowledge to the real world, as well as for its strong retention and graduation rates.
The master's program includes courses that examine different disciplinary perspectives, and a capstone course. To cap off your program, you can choose between writing a research essay or thesis.
Online graduate tuition at Ohio University can cost between $505 and $527 per credit hour, depending on your residency status.
Pros
- No GRE required
- Flexible design for working professionals
Cons
- Low admission rate
- Low student completion rate
$13,352
$23,720
83%
24,640
Public
Yes
$9,444
$17,436
Athens, OH4 yearCampus + Online
$9,444
$17,436
85%
63%
$13,352
$23,720
83%
24,640
Public
Yes
Why We Chose This School
Ohio University's MA in law, justice, and culture is a 32-credit program offered both online and in-person at the main campus. We chose this program because of its commitment to teaching students to critically analyze laws and apply their knowledge to the real world, as well as for its strong retention and graduation rates.
The master's program includes courses that examine different disciplinary perspectives, and a capstone course. To cap off your program, you can choose between writing a research essay or thesis.
Online graduate tuition at Ohio University can cost between $505 and $527 per credit hour, depending on your residency status.
Pros
- No GRE required
- Flexible design for working professionals
Cons
- Low admission rate
- Low student completion rate
University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, IL4 yearCampus + Online
$8,858
$16,408
84%
83%
Why We Chose This School
The legal studies MA at the University of Illinois Springfield has a 77% acceptance rate, an 80.7% retention rate, and a 61% graduation rate, in addition to being an affordable option accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The program consists of 36 total credit hours and takes about two years to complete. In addition to its online offerings, the master's program is also available in a hybrid and in-person format. With the electives offered by this program, you can focus your studies on law and public policy, human rights and social justice, criminal justice, or regulatory compliance.
Pros
- Small class sizes, usually capped at 20
- Opportunities for assistantship and e-tuition rates
Cons
- Low student completion
- Low earnings six years after graduation
$9,645
$19,410
81%
4,661
Public
Yes
$8,858
$16,408
Springfield, IL4 yearCampus + Online
$8,858
$16,408
84%
83%
$9,645
$19,410
81%
4,661
Public
Yes
Why We Chose This School
The legal studies MA at the University of Illinois Springfield has a 77% acceptance rate, an 80.7% retention rate, and a 61% graduation rate, in addition to being an affordable option accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The program consists of 36 total credit hours and takes about two years to complete. In addition to its online offerings, the master's program is also available in a hybrid and in-person format. With the electives offered by this program, you can focus your studies on law and public policy, human rights and social justice, criminal justice, or regulatory compliance.
Pros
- Small class sizes, usually capped at 20
- Opportunities for assistantship and e-tuition rates
Cons
- Low student completion
- Low earnings six years after graduation
Why You Should Get a MLS
The MLS stands out on resumes, opening doors to careers in law-adjacent fields. - According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), grads with a master’s degrees earned around 16% more than those with a bachelor’s degree.
- The MLS broadly covers laws and regulations, so you can apply your knowledge to many different industries.
- In your MLS program, you’ll work with fellow students who can become your connections to a new career.
- The legal knowledge you gain from your MLS program can make you more valuable to your employer.
Benefits of Getting a MLS Online
- Student perception of the potential return on investment (ROI) of online learning continues to be strong — 93% of all students say their online degree has or will have a positive ROI.
- 97% of prospective online students, currently enrolled online students, and online program graduates would recommend online education to others.
- 81% of student respondents say that online is better than or equal to on-campus learning.
- Most online program graduates (73%) say their programs prepared them for employment after graduation, and 31% say they were extremely well prepared.
How to Choose the Best Master’s in Legal Studies Program for You
Before you apply to master’s in legal studies programs, you might consider costs, program length, and career outlook. Knowing what you’re in for will help you ensure the program meets your needs.
How Much Does an Online Master’s in Legal Studies Cost?
Online Master’s in Legal Studies Cost
Avg. Tuition & Fees (2020)
$19,127
Avg. Net Price (2020)
$17,478
Source: NCES PowerStats
According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the typical cost of an online master’s in legal studies was $19,127, including tuition and fees in 2020.
The average net price — the cost after receiving financial aid — was $17,478. This reduction shows just how much financial aid can offset the cost of tuition.
Financial aid includes federal loans, grants and scholarships, and employer tuition reimbursement and assistance.
To receive federal financial aid, you can apply to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year you need financial assistance.
Find Financial Aid for Your MLS Degree
How Long Does It Take to Get a MLS Degree?
Typical # of Credits
36 Credits
Typical Program Length
2 Years
The typical program length for a master’s in legal studies program is two years. You’ll have to earn around 36 credits to graduate.
However, the duration of your program can depend on whether you enroll as a full-time or part-time student.
You can also fast-track your studies by enrolling in an accelerated program, transferring relevant credits, and earning credit for life or work experience.
Master’s in Legal Studies Application Requirements
Bachelor’s degree- Letters of recommendation
- TOEFL scores (some programs)
- Letter of interest
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Transfer credits
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Legal Studies?
One of the highest-paying jobs you can pursue with a master’s in legal studies is human resource manager, which pays $140,030 per year, according to the BLS. This role is growing at 6%, faster than average for all occupations.
Other six-figure roles include law teachers ($126,650) and sales managers ($138,060).
You can make around $67,710 each year as a conciliator, or around $81,680 as an accountant. Librarians and library media specialists earn around $64,320 per year.
| Job | Median Annual Salary 2024 | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants | $81,680 | Manages financial records, prepares taxes and budgets, and analyzes financial data. |
| Conciliators | $67,710 | Helps people and organizations resolve conflicts outside of the courtroom. |
| Human Resources Managers | $140,030 | Oversees the administrative tasks of companies and other organizations. |
| Law Librarian | $64,320 | Performs library operations in law firms, law schools, and courts. |
| Law Teachers | $126,650 | Instructs students on legal principles and practices by teaching law courses. |
| Sales Managers | $138,060 | Manages sales teams in companies. |
Is a Master’s in Legal Studies Worth It?
Whether a master’s in legal studies is worth it depends on your career interests and goals.
Once you graduate, you’ll see an increase in career options, a potential for higher salaries, and improved job security. And you can complete your MLS program in two years, so the degree offers a fast return on investment.
For the class of 2023, the mean starting salary was $81,378 for graduates with a master’s in legal studies, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Education Beyond a Master’s in Legal Studies
A master’s in legal studies won’t qualify you to become a lawyer or judge. After you earn your MLS you can pursue an advanced degree to specialize your legal knowledge and expand your career opportunities.
A few advanced degrees you can pursue include a master of law (LLM), a JD, or a Ph.D. in law. These advanced degrees can lead to careers in academia, law firms, courtrooms, and leading corporations.
Frequently Asked Questions About a Master’s in Legal Studies
A legal studies degree will teach you about legal terms, processes, and regulations.
The degree can prepare you for career-stable roles like law enforcement officer, paralegal, legal assistant, and jury consultant.
After you earn your legal studies degree, you can earn a law degree, so you can then pursue a career as a lawyer or judge.
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