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Legal investigator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a legal investigator. Legal investigators usually study criminal justice, business, or law. 61% of legal investigators hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 353 real legal investigator resumes to see exactly what legal investigator education sections show.
The most common colleges for legal investigators are the University of Memphis and the University of Memphis.
There are also many online legal investigator courses to help get the education required to be a legal investigator.
What education do you need to become a legal investigator?
What degree do you need to be a legal investigator?
- Bachelor's, 61%
- Associate, 16%
- Master's, 10%
- Doctorate, 7%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become a legal investigator?
- Criminal Justice, 24%
- Business, 13%
- Law, 8%
- Other Majors, 47%
Most common colleges for legal investigators
| Legal investigator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Memphis | 7.69% |
| Park University | 7.69% |
| Vincennes University | 5.77% |
| University of Northern Iowa | 5.77% |
| University of New Haven | 5.77% |
Best majors for legal investigators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Criminal Justice | 24.4% |
| 2 | Business | 13.3% |
| 3 | Law | 8.3% |
| 4 | Legal Support Services | 7.8% |
| 5 | Psychology | 7.2% |
Best colleges for legal investigators
The best colleges for legal investigators are University of Chicago, Georgetown University, and Stanford University.
A legal investigator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for legal investigators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become legal investigators.
1. University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,610
Enrollment
3,215
2. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
3. Mississippi College
Clinton, MS • Private
In-state tuition
$18,026
Enrollment
3,036
4. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,230
Enrollment
12,161
5. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
7. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
8. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$58,230
Enrollment
6,600
9. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
10. University of San Diego
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,358
Enrollment
5,760
20 best online courses for legal investigators
Advertising disclosure
1. International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes
‘Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes’ is the second course in Leiden University’s new series on International Law in Action. The first course covered international courts and tribunals in The Hague in general. This second course provides an insider perspective into the work of international criminal courts and tribunals. You will learn about the investigation and prosecution of international crimes in The Hague. Atrocities produce unspeakable forms of violence. We will explore...
2. Artificial Intelligence and legal issues
The purpose of the course is to help students understand the legal implications related to the design and use of artificial intelligence systems, providing an overview of the risks and legal protections that can be envisaged and giving an overview of the legislation and legal principles currently applicable on the subject. In particular, the profiles of civil and criminal liability, protection in terms of intellectual property and the impacts of AI on the fundamental rights of the individual -...
3. Legal English
Legal language and communication skills...
4. Effective Legal Office Administration
Effective Legal Office Administration...
5. Introduction to International Criminal Law
-- About the Course -- From the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates – no area of law is as important to world peace and security as international criminal law. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, this course will educate students about the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. We will explore the contours of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes,...
6. Legal Tech and the Digital Transformation of Law
The digital revolution changed the way we communicate and trade. Now, it is coming into the world of law. This program will give you a broad overview of the main trends that are affecting the legal industry: - The birth of the legal tech market and the application of technology in law. - The role of artificial intelligence in the automation of the work of lawyers. - Blockchain technology and its impact on the way we sign and execute contracts. - Initiatives to ensure access to justice through...
7. AML Case Investigation Skills
A guide to conducting AML case investigations, writing quality case narratives and the submission of STRs (STR filing)...
8. Criminal Law in 120 Minutes: A Fast Track Course
A 2 hour fast track summary of Criminal Law, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...
9. Threat Investigation
If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you understand how threat-centric SOC must prepare for analyzing new and emerging threats by implementing robust security investigation procedures • By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Understand cyber-threat hunting concepts • Describe the five hunting maturity levels (HM0–HM4) • Describe the hunting cycle four-stage loop• Describe the use of the Common...
10. Cloud Computing Law
This Specialization is intended for anyone interested in understanding the legal rights and obligations of providers and customers of cloud services. Our three Courses cover the key legal and regulatory issues for cloud services, including cloud contracts, data protection law, law enforcement access, and much more! You will learn to describe cloud providers’ and customers’ legal rights, to identify and assess legal risks, and to suggest possible legal and technological solutions...
11. Forensic accounting, fraud investigation and fraud analytics
The 14 hour course(50casestudies) helps to understand fraud examination, forensic audit,financial crime, data analytics...
12. Investigative Journalism
How to find hidden sources. How to look for documents and people...
13. Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship
By its nature, the law touches on many aspects of entrepreneurship, making it an applicable and versatile topic of study. For aspiring entrepreneurs, it's important to understand how to form the business, work with the initial customers, and hire. For active entrepreneurs, there are critical considerations on employment law, operating policies, and managing contracts. For everyone, the role that the law plays in managing the company, and its associated risks, must be properly understood to...
14. Legal Writing Master Class
Learn with lawyers by learning the correct use of prepositions and articles, drafting contracts and writing letters...
15. IFCI Expert Cybercrime Investigator's Course
Protect your network - Put cybercriminals in jail. Learn computer forensics, malware analysis and hacker investigations...
16. Legal English Language Certificate (LELC) Level 1 - CPD
Learn from Lawyers - Learn the CORRECT use of articles, prepositions, legal terms & start writing your letter!...
17. Criminology and Criminal Psychology Certified CSI+ Course
Learn Criminal Law and Start your career with certification of Criminal Law and Criminal Psychology, Learn Criminology...
18. The Legal Implications of Social Media in the Workplace
Regulatory and Case Law Considerations for Employers' Social Media Policy Development...
19. Digital Forensics Masterclass: Forensic Science 2023 DFMC+
Learn digital forensics and be computer forensics investigator / Certificate after completing course / DFMC+ / DFIR 2023...
20. Cloud Security Course: Cloud Compliance, Audits,Legal issues
For CCSK and CCSP Aspirants - Cloud Agreements/Contracts, Legal and Compliance Concepts...
Top 10 most affordable universities for legal investigators
The most affordable schools for legal investigators are Brigham Young University, florida international university, and florida state university.
If the best universities for legal investigators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for legal investigators.
1. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
2. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
3. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
4. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
5. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
6. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
8. University of Missouri - Kansas City
Kansas City, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$8,178
Cost of attendance
20,934
9. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
10. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for legal investigators
The hardest universities for legal investigators to get into are University of Chicago, Georgetown University, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for legal investigators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for legal investigators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
2. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
7. University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA • Private
Admissions rate
30%
SAT average
1,401
8. Tulane University
New Orleans, LA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,428
9. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
10. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for legal investigators
The easiest schools for legal investigators to get into are University of North Texas at Dallas, university of baltimore, and saint thomas university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a legal investigator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for legal investigators.
1. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
2. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
3. Saint Thomas University
Miami Gardens, FL • Private
Admissions rate
52%
SAT average
1,031
4. Marymount University
Arlington, VA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,065
5. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden
Camden, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,086
6. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
7. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
8. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
9. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
10. Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,059
Average legal investigator salary by education level
| Legal investigator education level | Legal investigator salary |
|---|---|
| Doctorate Degree | $75,153 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025