Legal Studies at Bentley University

Waltham, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,883/yr (84% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (26% exposed)
Job Market Large (44,000 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #13 of 37 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) programs Top 50%

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 $673K $663K $618K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.9x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 50% 44%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$232,600
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$155,148
33% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates of Bentley University's Legal Studies program earn $72,883/yr in their first year — 84% above the $39,560 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

An earnings multiple of 2.9x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 26% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $27,000 in median debt against $72,883 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #13 out of 37 programs, Bentley University's Legal Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

About Bentley University

With a 48% acceptance rate, Bentley University is moderately selective, with a smaller student body of 4,288 in Waltham, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $155,148 — 33% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Bentley University →

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 Bentley 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

How does Bentley University's Legal Studies program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Legal Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →