Legal Studies at University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings
$36,181/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (26% exposed)
Job Market
Large (44,000 openings/yr)
ROI
9.3x earnings multiple (4.1x 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 | $656K | $647K | $604K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.4x | 9.3x | 8.7x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 4.2x | 4.1x | 3.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 52% | 50% | 44% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 41 | 41 | 46 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$69,428
Out-of-state: $157,172 (4.1x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,417
86% growth from Year 1
About University of Massachusetts-Amherst
A 58% admission rate makes University of Massachusetts-Amherst accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 23,694 students in Amherst, MA.
See all programs and financial aid at University of Massachusetts-Amherst →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 University of Massachusetts-Amherst
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 41/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Legal Studies at University of Massachusetts-Amherst?
At 41/100, 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 →