Legal Studies at St. John's University-New York

Queens, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
22
Optimistic
21
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,307/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (26% exposed)
Job Market Large (44,000 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #36 of 37 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) programs

Program Analysis

Your journey into general legal studies at the undergraduate level at St. John's requires a clear understanding of what this degree often means in the real world. Unlike a specialized paralegal certificate or a law degree, a general legal studies major doesn't directly qualify you for many higher-paying, professional legal roles. In a competitive market like New York City, entry-level legal support positions, while plentiful, frequently involve administrative tasks, document management, or basic research within large law firms, corporate legal departments, or government agencies. These roles often don't command substantial salaries, especially when you're competing with others who may have more vocational training or certifications. To truly advance your career and earning potential in the legal field, you'll likely need to pursue further education, such as a specialized paralegal certification, or commit to law school. Consider how you'll build specific, marketable skills beyond a broad undergraduate foundation.

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 $650K $641K $599K
Earnings Multiple 3.2x 3.2x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 50% 44%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 21 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$200,440
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$107,940
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,520
10.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,408
113% growth from Year 1

About St. John's University-New York

St. John's University-New York accepts 80% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 9,742 students in Queens, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $107,940 over four years — 46% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at St. John's University-New York →

Top Career Paths

Legal support workers, all other $68,760/yr
Paralegals and legal assistants $61,010/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Legal Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at St. John's University-New York

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does St. John's University-New York's Legal Studies program score?
This program scores 21/100 — on the lower end for Legal Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Legal Studies earnings lower at St. John's University-New York?
Lower starting pay at St. John's University-New York may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →