Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at University of Denver

University of Denver's legal studies program sits in an awkward middle ground—above the state median but below national expectations, all based on fewer than 30 graduates. The $21,142 debt load is actually quite manageable compared to the national median of $25,750, and the 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can reasonably expect to pay this down. However, first-year earnings of $38,432 lag the national median, and even after four years, the $48,703 median puts graduates well behind the 75th percentile nationally.

The numbers come with a major asterisk: with only two schools offering this program in Colorado and a tiny graduating class, this data may not represent a typical outcome. One or two graduates making unusual career choices could skew everything. That said, the 27% earnings growth suggests some positive career momentum, and the program does edge out Colorado's state median.

For a school with a 1344 average SAT and DU's academic reputation, these outcomes are underwhelming. If your child is considering legal studies as pre-law preparation, they should know that most law schools don't require a specific major. If they're planning to work with this bachelor's degree, they'll likely need geographic mobility and networking to reach higher earning potential—the numbers suggest the degree alone won't open many doors.