68 Best Public PhD Law Universities in the USA

Compare 158 programs at 68 universities in the USA — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 158 Universities 68 Scholarships 0

68 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan · Public University · Est. 1855

US #2 QS World #158 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $19,680/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $67,253
Students: 40,922

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Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey · Public University · Est. 1766

US #6 QS World #217 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $24,406/yr
Admission rate: 58%
Earnings (10yr): $74,479
Students: 37,751

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University of Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut · Public University · Est. 1881

US #15 QS World #461 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $25,097/yr
Admission rate: 52%
Earnings (10yr): $73,997
Students: 19,835

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University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware · Public University · Est. 1743

US #18 QS World #501 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $17,799/yr
Admission rate: 71%
Earnings (10yr): $72,950
Students: 19,071

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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, Tennessee · Public University · Est. 1794

US #19 QS World #501 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $18,976/yr
Admission rate: 42%
Earnings (10yr): $60,249
Students: 30,418

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Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida · Public University · Est. 1851

US #23 QS World #561 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $11,297/yr
Admission rate: 24%
Earnings (10yr): $61,675
Students: 32,212

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University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii · Public University · Est. 1907

US #26 QS World #601 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $15,664/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $57,624
Students: 15,029

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Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1884

US #32 QS World #631 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $28,198/yr
Admission rate: 80%
Earnings (10yr): $63,727
Students: 20,970

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University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Norman, Oklahoma · Public University · Est. 1890

US #34 QS World #701 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $15,300/yr
Admission rate: 77%
Earnings (10yr): $63,126
Students: 22,734

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University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota · Public University · Est. 1851

US #37 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $16,778/yr
Admission rate: 80%
Earnings (10yr): $69,020
Students: 31,855

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University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, Washington · Public University · Est. 1861

US #38 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,091/yr
Admission rate: 39%
Earnings (10yr): $78,466
Students: 31,942

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University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona · Public University · Est. 1885

US #39 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $16,674/yr
Admission rate: 86%
Earnings (10yr): $59,979
Students: 42,537

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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1855

US #40 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $32,875/yr
Admission rate: 61%
Earnings (10yr): $63,435
Students: 42,284

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Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, Arizona · Public University · Est. 1885

US #41 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $14,967/yr
Admission rate: 90%
Earnings (10yr): $62,668
Students: 64,674

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University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, Ohio · Public University · Est. 1819

US #42 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $25,648/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $54,810
Students: 29,882

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University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, Wisconsin · Public University · Est. 1848

US #44 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $17,354/yr
Admission rate: 45%
Earnings (10yr): $73,792
Students: 36,902

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University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1787

US #45 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $30,434/yr
Admission rate: 58%
Earnings (10yr): $66,125
Students: 20,370

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University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida · Public University · Est. 1853

US #47 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $6,541/yr
Admission rate: 24%
Earnings (10yr): $71,588
Students: 35,629

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University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas · Public University · Est. 1864

US #50 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $18,059/yr
Admission rate: 93%
Earnings (10yr): $61,945
Students: 21,217

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University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada · Public University · Est. 1957

US #52 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $10,359/yr
Admission rate: 96%
Earnings (10yr): $55,037
Students: 24,622

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University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan · Public University · Est. 1817

US #53 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $13,138/yr
Admission rate: 16%
Earnings (10yr): $83,648
Students: 34,177

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The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas · Public University · Est. 1883

US #57 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $19,857/yr
Admission rate: 27%
Earnings (10yr): $75,121
Students: 42,855

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University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia · Public University · Est. 1819

US #63 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $21,565/yr
Admission rate: 17%
Earnings (10yr): $86,863
Students: 17,597

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University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa · Public University · Est. 1847

US #64 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $22,531/yr
Admission rate: 84%
Earnings (10yr): $64,762
Students: 22,264

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What this subject pays

Graduates of Law programmes report a median $41,007 two years after finishing, across 279 programmes that publish the figure , against median debt of $25,432.

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Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for public PhD Law universities in the USA?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include Michigan State University, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, University of Connecticut. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study public PhD Law universities in the USA?

Costs vary widely by university: public institutions charge in-state residents far less than out-of-state and international students, and private universities set one price for everyone. Every listing above shows the published tuition and net price we hold from the federal College Scorecard, so you can compare like with like.

Can international students work while studying public PhD Law universities in the USA?

Yes, within the rules of the F-1 student visa: on-campus work during term, Curricular Practical Training tied to the program, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating — with a longer extension for eligible STEM degrees.

About public PhD Law universities in the USA

This page lists public PhD Law universities in the USA held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Program and cost figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

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