Non-Professional Legal Studies, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Non-Professional Legal Studies, Other.: The DTI for this program is 73.3%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Non-Professional Legal Studies, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $37707) to the average debt ($27646) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Non-Professional Legal Studies, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 73.3%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Non-Professional Legal Studies, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($37707) against the typical student debt ($27646), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Non-Professional Legal Studies, Other. is a program that attracts motivated students who want to make an impact. Starting pay for new grads is typically $37707, and with an average debt of $27646, the debt-to-income ratio comes in at 0.73—which is about average for college grads.
This program sees about 4745 graduates annually, so you’ll be joining a well-established network. Whether you’re aiming for a high-paying job, a stable career, or a chance to make an impact, Non-Professional Legal Studies, Other. is a great foundation. Remember, your journey is shaped by the opportunities you pursue—so get involved and stay curious!
Degree Overview
Non-Professional Legal Studies, Other (CIP 22.0099) is a specialized category for legal analysts and regulatory strategists who do not intend to practice law as attorneys but need to master the "Legal Mindset" to lead in other sectors. While a J.D. program trains you to represent clients in court, professionals in this "Other" category are "Legal Architects." They study compliance, judicial logic, regulatory theory, and the impact of law on technology and social systems. It is a path for "procedural thinkers" who want to operate in the high-stakes space where law intersects with business, healthcare, and government.
This field is ideal for "logical navigators"—individuals who are fascinated by the rules that govern society and who want to use that knowledge to manage risks, design fair policies, or navigate the complex bureaucracy of modern organizations.
What Is an "Other" Non-Professional Legal Studies Degree?
A degree in this category is an academic and analytical path that emphasizes legal theory, jurisdictional logic, and administrative procedure. You will study the "Legal Core"—constitutional law, contracts, and torts—but your focus will be on the application of law within a specific industry. Because this code houses niche programs, your studies might focus on Bioethical Law for Healthcare, Cyber-Regulatory Policy, or the legal frameworks of International Human Rights. It prepares you to be a "Compliance and Strategy Expert" who can translate complex legal codes into actionable business or social plans.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Regulatory Affairs Specialists" who ensure that companies follow evolving laws in sectors like pharma, tech, or finance
- Develop experts in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), focusing on mediation and arbitration outside of the courtroom
- Prepare professionals for Government Relations, helping organizations understand and influence the legislative process
- Study Legal Informatics, exploring how AI and data privacy laws are reshaping the global digital economy
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that "the law is a language and a tool"; they focus on the logic of evidence, the hierarchy of authority, and the mechanics of systemic fairness.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Statutory Interpretation—learning how to read and apply dense legislative text to real-world scenarios
- Use "Risk Assessment Frameworks" to identify potential legal liabilities for an organization before they become lawsuits
- Design Policy Documentation—writing clear, enforceable rules for employees, users, or citizens
- Perform Legal Research—using tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis to find precedents and current regulations
- Utilize Mediation Techniques to resolve conflicts without the cost and time of formal litigation
- Understand Administrative Law—the specific rules that govern how government agencies (like the EPA or SEC) operate
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of philosophy, logic, and professional strategy:
- Foundations of Legal Reasoning: The study of "thinking like a lawyer"—logic, rhetoric, and the socratic method.
- Compliance and Risk Management: How to build a "legal safety net" for corporations and non-profits.
- Privacy and Data Protection Law: Navigating the laws governing how personal information is collected and stored.
- Employment and Labor Law: The rules governing the relationship between workers and employers.
- Intellectual Property (IP) for Non-Lawyers: Understanding how to protect ideas, inventions, and creative works.
- Environmental and Land Use Regulation: The legal structures behind urban planning and environmental protection.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as high-level administrators, compliance officers, and policy advisors in the corporate, government, and non-profit sectors.
Common job roles include:
- Compliance Officer: Ensuring that an organization (like a hospital or bank) follows all federal and state regulations.
- Regulatory Affairs Manager: Managing the legal documentation and approval process for new products or services.
- Contract Administrator: Drafting, reviewing, and managing the legal agreements that power a business.
- Court Administrator: Managing the day-to-day operations, budgeting, and scheduling of a judicial system.
- Human Resources Policy Analyst: Designing the legal and ethical guidelines that govern a workforce.
- Lobbyist/Government Liaison: Representing an organization's interests to lawmakers and regulatory agencies.
Where Can You Work?
These specialists are the "procedural glue" in high-stakes industries:
- Healthcare Systems: Navigating the legal complexities of patient privacy (HIPAA) and medical billing.
- Financial Institutions: Ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and banking laws.
- Technology and AI Firms: Working on the ethical and legal boundaries of new software and data use.
- Government Agencies: Working as a policy analyst or administrative officer at the local, state, or federal level.
- Non-Profit and Advocacy Groups: Managing the legal structure of social movements and charitable organizations.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because of the high demand for "Compliance IQ" in regulated industries, salaries for these specialists often rival those of practicing attorneys.
- Chief Compliance Officers: Median annual salary of approximately $110,000–$160,000+.
- Regulatory Affairs Managers: Salaries typically range from $95,000 to $140,000+.
- Policy Analysts (Senior): Median annual salary of around $80,000–$120,000.
- Entry-Level Compliance/Contract Specialists: Often start between $58,000 and $75,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the precision and density of the material. You must be comfortable reading hundreds of pages of technical text and finding the one small rule that changes everything. It requires a highly disciplined and objective mindset—you must be able to separate your personal feelings from the letter of the law. It is a major that rewards those who are "Strategic Problem-Solvers" and who enjoy the challenge of working within a rigid system to achieve a flexible result.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love the idea of law but don't necessarily want to spend your life in a courtroom
- Are the person who actually reads the "Terms and Conditions" before clicking accept
- Have a talent for logic, debate, and spotting contradictions
- Want a career that offers high stability and influence in the business or government worlds
- Are fascinated by the "Rules of the Game"—how systems are built and managed
How to Prepare in High School
- Take AP US Government and AP English Language; they are essential for understanding law and rhetoric
- Take a course in Logic or Philosophy to practice the fundamentals of legal reasoning
- Join a Mock Trial or Debate team to practice analyzing arguments and evidence
- Practice Attention to Detail—hobbies like coding, chess, or complex board games build the necessary mental stamina
- Read about Famous Supreme Court Cases to see how legal interpretation changes society
The ability to apply legal logic and regulatory mastery to the complexities of modern systems is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor