See all destinations →

Countries Universities Courses Subjects Compare Study Abroad Rankings Scholarships Success Stories Guides

8 Best Law PhD Universities in the United States 2026

This ranks Law PhD/Doctorate options in the United States for 2026. It is for applicants choosing between doctoral study routes in law.

Ranked by our transparent composite score, with QS rankings, tuition fees and entry requirements.

Refine results

Subject

Level

University type

Reset

8 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

1

AU

Auburn University

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open

Tuition (indicative): —
Founded: —

2

DU

DePaul University

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open

Tuition (indicative): —
Founded: —

3

MS

Morgan State University

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open

Tuition (indicative): —
Founded: —

4

TU

Towson University

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open

Tuition (indicative): —
Founded: —

5

WC

Williams College

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open

Tuition (indicative): —
Founded: —

6

SC

Scottsdale Community College

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open

Tuition (indicative): —
Founded: —

7

NS

North Shore Community College

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open

Tuition (indicative): —
Founded: —

8

CC

Clatsop Community College

United States · Public University

★ 27 Admissions open

Tuition (indicative): —
Founded: —

Law at other levels

Best Foundation Law Best Diploma Law Best Bachelor's Law Best Master's Law Best Professional Law

Related PhD subjects

Criminal Law PhD

Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities worldwide for PhD Law?▾

Based on our composite ranking, the top choices include Auburn University, DePaul University, Morgan State University. See the full ranked list above with QS positions, tuition fees and entry requirements.

How much does a PhD in Law cost abroad?▾

Tuition varies by university and is indicative on each profile — public universities are generally the most affordable, while private and international branch campuses charge more. Scholarships can reduce costs significantly.

Can international students study Law abroad?▾

Yes. Most programmes are taught in English and open to international students, who apply for a student visa through the immigration authority after accepting an offer.

How are these universities ranked?▾

We use a transparent composite score combining QS World/Asia positions, your destination country’s star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. See our ranking methodology for the exact weights.

Studying Law at PhD level abroad

your destination country is a popular, affordable destination for Law at PhD level, with provincially accredited programmes taught in English at both public and private universities, plus international branch campuses. The universities above are ordered by our composite ranking score, which combines QS World and QS Americas positions, your destination country’s star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — with no paid placement.

Get your destination country university & scholarship updates

New scholarships, application deadlines and admission guides — a couple of emails a month, no spam.

Stay updated

Get admission alerts, scholarship deadlines & university news — free.

A PhD or doctorate in Law is the highest academic level in this subject and suits applicants aiming for advanced research, teaching, or specialist legal scholarship. At this level, the main decision is whether you want a research-focused doctorate or a different professional path, and the exact study structure should be confirmed with each university.

The institutions in this set are all public, so the decision is less about ownership and more about location and cost details. Some are in large cities and some are in smaller communities, which can affect living costs and access to placements or support services. Fees are only useful where they are published, so compare the stated cost at each university and confirm any missing fee information directly with the institution.

Before applying, verify the entry requirements, research supervision, duration, and whether the doctorate is open to international applicants. You should also check the application deadline, funding, and any subject-specific admission documents, because those details can change the final decision.