Legal Studies at Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings
$33,752/yr (-15% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (26% exposed)
Job Market
Large (44,000 openings/yr)
ROI
9.8x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Legal Studies graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $637K | $629K | $588K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 10.0x | 9.8x | 9.2x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 3.7x | 3.6x | 3.4x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 52% | 50% | 44% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 38 | 38 | 44 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$63,952
Out-of-state: $173,488 (3.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,753
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,933
89% growth from Year 1
About Michigan State University
A 84% acceptance rate means Michigan State University is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 40,243 students in East Lansing, MI.
See all programs and financial aid at Michigan State University →Top Career Paths
Legal support workers, all other
$68,760/yr
Paralegals and legal assistants
$61,010/yr
Compare & Explore
Legal Studies at Other Schools
Other Majors at Michigan State University
Consider the Trade Route?
Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 38/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Legal Studies at Michigan State University?
At 38/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Legal Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →