Legal Studies at William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
29
Optimistic
28
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings
$30,326/yr (-23% vs median)
AI Risk
Moderate (26% exposed)
Job Market
Large (44,000 openings/yr)
ROI
8.9x earnings multiple (5.5x 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 | $545K | $542K | $511K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 9.0x | 8.9x | 8.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.6x | 5.5x | 5.2x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 52% | 50% | 44% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 29 | 28 | 35 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$60,600
Out-of-state: $97,856 (5.5x ROI)
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,578
70% growth from Year 1
About William Paterson University of New Jersey
William Paterson University of New Jersey has a 93% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 6,526 students in Wayne, NJ. 44% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at William Paterson University of New Jersey →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 William Paterson University of New Jersey
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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Legal Studies at William Paterson University of New Jersey?
A score of 28/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Legal Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Can you still earn well with Legal Studies from William Paterson University of New Jersey?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →