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Study Abroad Content Specialist
Highlights
- Degree Types: Ph.D. in Law in USA is also available as a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program.
- Upcoming Deadlines: Admission deadlines for Ph.D. in Law in majority of the US universities are within December 2024 and July 2025. The early application deadlines are in November 2024.
- Employment Growth: In USA, employment of Lawyers is projected to grow by 8% from 2022 to 2032. About 39,100 annual job openings for lawyers are projected by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- High Paying Jobs: The median annual salary for Lawyers in USA was 145,760 USD (1.21 crore INR), according to the latest report by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Ph.D. in Law in USA is a full-time doctoral level program, offered in 3–5 years. The program is structured to prepare legal scholars and teachers producing substantial academic research. For admission to PhD in Law in USA, international students require an L.L.M degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (85%). International students should also be prepared with supporting documents like:
- Competitive GRE or LSAT score
- English proficiency test score:
- TOEFL iBT: 79
- IELTS: 6.5
- SOP
- Writing samples
- Dissertation proposal (8-10 pages)
- 2-3 LORs
- CV
- Proof of finance availability
- US student visa
Top Universities for PhD in Law in USA
USA is home to 3 of the top 10 universities for PhD in Law program in the world, according to QS WUR by Subject, 2024: Law and Legal Studies. Some top universities offering PhD in Law in USA for Indian students and their corresponding details are as follows:
| QS WUR by Subject 2024: Law and Legal Studies | Universities | Course | Deadlines | Annual Tuition Fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #4 | Yale University | Ph.D. Law | December 15, 2024 | 74,044 |
| #5 | Stanford University | Juris Doctor (J.D) | February 15, 2025 | 74,475 |
| #8 | Columbia University | J.D. Law | February 2025 | 78,444 |
| #29 | University of Pennsylvania | Ph.D. Ethics and Legal Studies | Fall 2025: December 15, 2024 | 74,688 |
| #=68 | Northwestern University | J.D./ M.B.A. | Early Decision: November 15, 2024 | Final Deadline: February 15, 2025 | 76,704 |
| #101-150 | University of Washington | Ph.D. in Law | April 1, 2025 | 55,617 |
| #251-300 | Ohio State University | J.D. Law | March 31, 2025 | 50,028 |
| - | University of South Florida | Ph.D. Criminology | January 15, 2025 | 15,863 |
| - | University of New Mexico | J.D. Law | July 15, 2025 | 44,203 |
| - | University of Iowa | Ph.D. Juridical Science | Fall: May 1, 2025 | 22,140 |
Why Study PhD in Law in USA?
USA is one of the best places to study doctoral programs in Law and Juridical Science. Here are some of the benefits of pursuing PhD in Law in USA:
- Variety of Programs: In USA, you get the opportunity to pursue various PhD programs in Law. PhD in International Law in USA is available across a few institutes like Liberty University, and Florida State University. You can earn a JD certificate in Intellectual Property Law in USA at The University of Utah.
- Fellowships: Although fellowships for PhD in Law in USA are rare, but students can get up to 28,000 USD (23.32 lakhs INR) per year through fellowships. This can reduce a good part of the financial burden.
- Growing Employment Opportunities: According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of Lawyers in USA is projected to grow by 8% from 2022 to 2032. This will lead to the opening of 39,100 jobs per year for lawyers, reflecting abundant employment opportunities.
Admission to PhD in Law in USA
The admission requirements for PhD in Law depends on the universities in USA. The eligibility criteria for PhD in law in USA for international students are as follows:
- Undergraduate degree in a relevant field or L.L.M
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 (85%)
- GRE/LSAT scores
- English proficiency scores
- TOEFL iBT - 79 minimum
- IELTS - 6.5 to 7
- PTE - 53
Additional Requirements: The supporting documents required for admission to Law PhD programs in USA or related programs are as follows:
- Official transcripts
- Statement of purpose (SOP)
- Writing samples
- Dissertation proposal (8-10 pages on research plan)
- 2-3 Strong LORs
- CV/Resume
- Proof of financial support
- US student visa
US Student Visa Application
Securing a US student visa for studying Law is very tough, due to the clear immigrant intent. To apply for a US student visa for PhD in Law in USA, you require the following documents:
- Academic transcripts and mark sheets in English
- Confirmation page of form DS-160
- SEVIS fee payment receipt
- Standardized test scores
- Your recent photo
- Valid passport
- Proof of genuine intent to leave USA after education
- Proof of availability of sufficient finances to stay and study in USA
- Form I-20, signed by the candidate and an official of the SEVP-approved school
PhD in Law in USA Cost
The cost of pursuing PhD in Law in USA includes tuition fee, and living expenses. The international tuition fees range up to 78,444 USD (65.32 lakhs INR) in institutes like Columbia University. This is why, you should consider your budget as a factor while choosing universities for PhD in Law in USA. Details of the tuition fees and living expenses are as follows:
Tuition Fees for PhD in Law in USA
The tuition fees for PhD in Law in USA can range anywhere between 15,863 and 78,444 USD (13.20 and 65.32 lakhs INR). The affordable universities offering PhD in Law in USA are, University of South Florida, Tampa; Kansas State University, and University of Iowa, among others. A comparison of the tuition fees for PhD in Law in USA across some renowned universities is provided below:
Cost of Living in USA
The cost of living in USA for international students range between 15,700 and 22,200 USD (13.07 and 18.48 lakhs INR). A breakdown of the estimated annual cost of living in USA for international students is provided in the following table:
| Expense Type | Cost Per Year (USD) | Equivalent Annual Cost for Indians (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 9,800 to 11,100 | 8.16 to 9.24 lakhs |
| Food | 3,000 to 7,200 | 2.49 to 5.99 lakhs |
| Utilities (Gas, electricity, water) | 1,200 to 1,800 | 99.962 to 1.5 lakhs |
| Clothing | 500 | 41,653 |
| Transport | 300 to 700 | 24,992 to 58,314 |
| Miscellaneous | 900 | 74,976 |
| TOTAL | 15,700 to 22,200 | 13.07 to 18.48 lakhs |
Scholarships for PhD in Law in USA
Universities in USA for PhD in Law offer up to 28,000 USD (23.32 lakhs INR) per year as fellowships. Fully funded PhD programs in Law in USA for international students are rare, but available. Besides, there are various scholarships in USA that can assist you financially to complete your PhD in Law in USA. Some popular scholarships are provided below:
| Scholarship | Eligibility Criteria | Award Value |
|---|---|---|
| Inlaks Scholarship | Indian students applying for a master's or Ph.D. with a good 1st degree from a recognized university and under the age of 30 | Maximum of 100,000 USD covering the full tuition fees, one-way travel allowance, living expenses, and health insurance. |
| Foreign Fulbright Student Program | Graduate students, young professionals, and artists | Tuition, airfare, living stipend, health insurance |
| P.E.O International Peace Scholarship | Non-American women who have applied for advanced studies in any university in USA | 12,500 USD |
| Knight Hennesy Scholars (Stanford University) | Earned bachelor's degree in January 2016 or later | Fellowship for up to 3 years of tuition, travel stipend, stipend for living, and academic expenses. |
PhD in Law in USA Job Opportunities
The average salary after PhD in Law is reportedly 80,000 USD per year (66.61 lakhs INR). According to the latest report by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Lawyers in USA earn 145,760 USD (1.21 crore INR) per annum as median salary. Some professions pursued by students after PhD in Law in USA and their corresponding salaries are as follows:
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Equivalent Salary for Indians (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Middle School Teacher | 72,445 | 60.32 lakhs |
| Performance Manager | 112,040 | 93.30 lakhs |
| Professor of Law | 105,930 | 88.21 lakhs |
| Staff Attorney | 83,680 | 69.68 lakhs |
PhD in Law in USA Return on Investment
A comparison between the tuition fees for PhD in Law in USA across some top universities and the average tuition fees is provided below:
| University | Annual Tuition Fees (USD) | Annual Average Salary of Graduates (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia University | 78,444 | 92,000 |
| Northwestern University | 76,704 | 89,000 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 74,688 | 94,000 |
| Stanford University | 74,475 | 117,000 |
| Yale University | 74,044 | 97,000 |
| University of Washington | 55,617 | 87,000 |
| Ohio State University | 50,028 | 77,000 |
| University of New Mexico | 44,203 | 75,000 |
| University of Iowa | 22,140 | 74,000 |
| University of South Florida | 15,863 | 73,000 |
A graphical representation of the return on investment is provided below:
The Legal Department of USA is very strong with an increasing demand for law and legal professionals. With a plethora of top universities delivering doctoral level education in Law, USA gives you an abundance of higher educational opportunities in this field. The high paying professions with an average salary of 80,000 USD per year (66.61 lakhs INR), demonstrates the exceptional return on investment for PhD in Law in USA. Getting a US study visa for Law programs is very tough due to immigrant intent. If you can secure a F1 visa, USA is a highly recommended destination for Law and Legal Studies in doctoral level.
FAQs
Ques. What are the best universities for PhD in Law in USA?
Ans. Some of the top universities offering PhD in Law in USA and their rankings according to QS WUR by Subject 2024: Law and Legal Studies are as follows:
| Universities | QS WUR by Subject 2024: Law and Legal Studies |
|---|---|
| Yale University | #4 |
| Stanford University | #5 |
| Columbia University | #8 |
| University of Pennsylvania | #29 |
| Northwestern University | #=68 |
| University of Washington | #101-150 |
| Ohio State University | #251-300 |
Ques. How much is the tuition fee for PhD in Law in USA?
Ans. Tuition fees across some of the best US universities for PhD in Law in USA are as follows:
| Universities | Annual Tuition Fees (USD) | Equivalent Tuition Fee for Indians (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Yale University | 74,044 | 61.65 lakhs |
| Stanford University | 74,475 | 62.01 lakhs |
| Columbia University | 78,444 | 65.31 lakhs |
| University of Pennsylvania | 74,688 | 62.19 lakhs |
| Northwestern University | 76,704 | 63.87 lakhs |
| University of Washington | 55,617 | 46.31 lakhs |
| Ohio State University | 50,028 | 41.66 lakhs |
| University of South Florida | 15,863 | 13.21 lakhs |
| University of New Mexico | 44,203 | 36.81 lakhs |
| University of Iowa | 22,140 | 18.43 lakhs |
Ques: How many years is a Ph.D. in Law in USA?
Ans. PhD in Law in USA is a 3 to 5 years long program. The program often includes 3 academic years and 2 summers in residence.
Ques. Is it hard to get into PhD in Law in USA?
Ans. Yes, as an international student, securing a US student visa for PhD in Law in USA is the most difficult task. As there is clear intention of immigration after pursuing this program, hence, chances of US student visa rejection are quite high. Besides, you need a strong background with a GPA of 3.0/4 (85%) or above in previous academic years to secure admission to the program.
Ques. Do law PhD students in USA get paid?
Ans. Although some universities in USA offer fellowships of up to 28,000 USD (23.32 lakhs INR) per year, it is hard to gain financial support for PhD in USA. Part time jobs in USA are an option to earn some pocket money, but it will not be enough to fund your tuition fees and living expenses. Besides, the hard work and determination required for PhD in Law in USA will not provide much room to you for work-study opportunities.
Ques. Is PhD in Law in USA worth it?
Ans. PhD in Law is the highest degree available in the Law field. Availing such a degree from the most academically advanced country like USA is an added advantage. The program will open doors of a range of professional opportunities to you. You can perform in-depth research on a specific topic in Law and prepare for careers as legal scholars and teachers.
Ques. How much can I earn after PhD in Law in USA?
Ans. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary of lawyers in USA is 145,760 USD (1.21 crore INR) per year. Furthermore, the average salary after PhD in Law in USA is reportedly 80,000 USD per year (66.61 lakhs INR), demonstrating a high return on investment. The average salary across some commonly pursued professions after PhD in Law in USA are as follows:
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Equivalent Salary for Indians (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Middle School Teacher | 72,445 | 60.32 lakhs |
| Performance Manager | 112,040 | 93.30 lakhs |
| Professor of Law | 105,930 | 88.21 lakhs |
| Staff Attorney | 83,680 | 69.68 lakhs |
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