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

University of Miami's legal studies program produces graduates earning 27% more than the national median and 82% more than Florida's typical program—landing in the 80th percentile statewide. At $49,624 starting out and $62,790 four years later, these graduates significantly outpace peers at UCF and Keiser, the state's other major programs. The $15,500 debt load is notably low, about 40% less than what students typically borrow for this degree nationwide.

That said, the sample size here is small—fewer than 30 graduates—so these figures may not hold steady year to year. Legal studies degrees don't require law school but also don't lead directly to attorney careers, so much depends on how graduates leverage the degree. At Miami, it appears students are finding strong paths forward, whether in compliance roles, paralegal work, or as preparation for graduate study.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 means graduates owe less than a third of their first-year salary, making this manageable even on entry-level compensation. For families weighing Miami's selective admission (19% acceptance rate) and private school price tag, this program delivers better financial outcomes than almost any comparable option in Florida, though the small cohort means individual results could vary considerably.