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Studying for an LLM (Master of Laws) in New York
There are more than 130 degree-granting institutions located in New York, the most of any state in the United States. These institutions vary widely, two of the largest public university systems in the US – the State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) include dozens of colleges. Plus, there are also large research universities, small liberal arts colleges and midsize colleges.
Many of the highly regarded universities – especially those offering LLM degrees – are based in New York City, but good options can also be found in cities throughout the state including Buffalo, Syracuse and Albany.
The state of New York is surrounded by several US states including Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Find LLM programs in the USABest universities in New York
Here are the ten best colleges in New York State according to the recently published US News Best Colleges Rankings 2025 – six of these top-ranked institutions offer LLM degree programs.
|
Position |
University |
Location |
LLM Provision |
|
1 |
Cornell University |
Ithaca |
General LLM |
|
2 |
Columbia University |
New York City |
General LLM |
|
3 |
New York University |
New York City |
8 LLM degrees |
|
4 |
University of Rochester |
Rochester |
None |
|
5 |
Stony Brook University – SUNY |
Stony Brook |
None |
|
6 |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
Troy |
None |
|
7 |
Binghamton University – SUNY |
Binghamton |
None |
|
8 |
Syracuse University |
Syracuse |
General LLM |
|
9 |
University at Buffalo – SUNY |
Buffalo |
3 LLM degrees |
|
10 |
Fordham University |
New York City |
9 LLM degrees |
Reasons to study an LLM degree in New York
Studying a Master of Laws program in New York offers an exciting and exceptional education experience for both international and domestic students. Here are some of the reasons why people choose New York as a study destination for their LLM degree:
- World-class universities
- Extensive range of LLM degrees
- Networking opportunities
- Career prospects
- National & international transport hub
- Global perspectives
- International outlook
- Cosmopolitan surroundings
Lowdown of New York universities and law schools
New York is home to many prestigious universities and law schools, all offering excellent LLM degree programs. These institutions provide access to highly regarded academic programs, cutting-edge research and extensive resources. Here are details of some of the universities offering Master of Laws programs in New York.
New York University – NYU Law
NYU Law has more than 100 full-time faculty members teaching a wide variety of law programs. Areas of faculty expertise include corporate law, constitutional law, criminal law, environmental law, intellectual property, international law, legal philosophy and taxation. Master of Laws students at NYU Law can design their own LLM degree, choosing from over 300 courses to create the perfect pathway for their professional and personal interests.
LLM degrees at NYU Law
There are currently eight LLM degrees on offer at NYU Law – they are listed below:
- LLM in Competition, Innovation and Information Law
- LLM in Corporation Law
- LLM in Environmental and Energy Law
- LLM in International Business Regulation, Litigation and Arbitration
- LLM in International Legal Studies
- LLM in International Taxation
- LLM in Legal Theory
- LLM in Taxation
Columbia University – Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School is part of Columbia University – an Ivy League university – and has been offering a legal education for over 160 years. It is located in the heart of New York City and the faculty comprises leading scholars and legal experts. It also features an impressive alumni network including former US Attorney General Eric Holder, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and former Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court Harlan Fiske Stone.
LLM degrees at Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School offers a general LLM degree and Executive LLM degree program. The general LLM at Columbia allows students to explore specific specialisations according to their area of interest. Modules of study include Administrative Law and Public Policy; Corporate Business and Transactional Law; International and Comparative Law; Family, Gender and Sexuality; Climate, Environmental and Energy Law; and Criminal Justice.
University at Buffalo School of Law (SUNY)
The University at Buffalo School of Law is the only law school in the State University of New York system. It is a premier public law school and one of the oldest law schools in New York State. UB School of Law draws on 135 years of experience and innovation in legal education offering a variety of graduate law programs. Due to its proximity to Canada – UB Law is just a 20-minute drive away from the border – it’s in the perfect location to offer its innovative Cross-Border Legal Studies LLM Program, this course specialises in enabling students to become skilled in guiding clients through cross-border interactions.
LLM degrees at UB Law
Master of Laws students can currently choose from three LLM degrees at UB Law – these are:
- Cross-Border LLM
- Criminal Law LLM
- General LLM
Fordham University – Fordham Law
Fordham University is a private, Catholic institution that was founded in 1841. Fordham Law School is based across the street from the Lincoln Center and just a few blocks from Central Park – in the heart of Manhattan. This is a great location to be a student in terms of culture, socialising and activities, as well as career-wise for networking and internship opportunities.
LLM degrees at Fordham Law
Fordham Law offers nine LLM degree programs and two of these are offered both in person or online. Here are the Master of Laws offerings available to study at Fordham Law.
- LLM in US Law (in person and online)
- LLM in Corporate Compliance (in person and online)
- LLM in Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law
- LLM in International Business and Trade Law
- LLM in Fashion Law
- LLM in Banking, Corporate and Finance Law
- LLM in Dispute Resolution
- LLM in International Law and Justice
- LLM in Real Estate Law
Brooklyn Law School
Brooklyn Law School is located just minutes from Wall Street and the campus is surrounded by courts, lawn offices, businesses and non-profit organisations. The LLM degree program at Brooklyn Law is designed to help foreign lawyers train abroad and explore US law while connecting with other international lawyers. Students at Brooklyn Law School have the option to sit for the New York State bar exam.
LLM degrees at Brooklyn Law School
Brooklyn Law School offers three LLM specialisms – these are:
- LLM in Business Law
- LLM in Intellectual Property Law
- LLM in Refugee and Immigration Law
LLM tuition fees and living costs in New York
The living costs and tuition fees in New York vary widely depending on whether you choose to study in New York City or New York state.
New York City – tuition fees
Although New York City is clearly a great place to study an LLM degree, the tuition fees and living costs can be rather expensive. For example an LLM student at Colombia Law in 2025 will incur total university charges: $89,775, of which the tuition fees will be $81,888. The LLM student living costs for the academic year have been budgeted by Columbia Law School as being $119,997 – this amount are broken down as detailed in this table.
|
Columbia Law Living Costs 2024-25 |
Amount in USD$ |
|
Housing (rent/utilities) |
$18,810 |
|
Food |
$6,882 |
|
Personal expenses |
$3,175 |
|
Total living expenses |
$28,867 |
|
Additional costs |
|
|
Document fee (one time charge) |
$105 |
|
Books and supplies |
$1,250 |
|
Total additional costs |
$1,355 |
In total, Columbia Law School advises students to budget for $119,997 to study an LLM degree program. Please note, this is just an example of the tuition fees and living costs for studying a Master of Laws at a university in New York City – other NYC-based law schools are likely to have different tuition fees which could be higher or lower than those charged by Columbia Law School.
New York State – tuition fees
Studying an LLM degree at a law school in New York State is a more affordable option. For example, the tuition fees to study a full-time LLM degree at UB School of Law is $26,170 for New York State residents and $31,470 for non-residents.
Student accommodation costs in New York
The costs of student accommodation in New York City and New York state varies considerably and students can choose to rent university accommodation or to rent privately. This table shows the average costs of university-owned accommodation in some of the top institutions offering LLM programs.
|
University |
Annual Costs |
Details |
|
Brooklyn Law School |
$20,392–$35,916 |
Prices vary according to apartment size. |
|
University at Buffalo |
$8,088–$20,770 |
Prices vary depending on whether students opt for a single, double, twin, quad or an entire unit on their own. |
|
Columbia University |
$18,810 |
Estimated costs of rent and utilities. |
|
Fordham University |
$14,855–$24,285 |
Prices vary depending on whether students choose a single, twin, triple or a shared apartment. |
For students requiring a more affordable option whilst studying in New York City, moving further out of town is a good option as the city is a very efficient transport hub. Some of the more affordable student areas in New York City include Washington Heights, Inwood, Queens and some areas of Brooklyn. It is also worth considering New Jersey – which although a different state, is just a short trip across the Hudson River.
New York law school alumni
New York has been the choice for many famous law school alumni including:
- Theodore Roosevelt – 26 President of the United States – Columbia University
- Franlink D Roosevelt – 32nd President of the United States – Columbia University
- Edmund Muskie – US Senator – Cornell University
- Fiorello La Guardia – former New York City mayor – New York University
- Ed Koch – former New York City mayor – New York University
- Rudy Giuliani – former New York City mayor – New York University
- John Mara – President & CEO of New York Giants – Fordham University
Networking opportunities in New York City
New York City is one of the world’s most significant business and cultural hubs, making it ideal for networking with professionals across all industries. This is great for a legal professional who can choose to work both for a law firm or in the legal department of another industry. Law students in New York City will have access to numerous career fairs, internship opportunities and legal events that can connect them to industry leaders in areas including law, media, finance, technology and fashion. Law schools here also have strong alumni networks that can be invaluable for career growth.
New York Bar Exam
To practice law in the United States, law graduates must pass the Bar Exam – a professional licensing test is designed to assess whether a candidate has the necessary legal knowledge and skills to be an effective lawyer. Each US state has its own Bar Exam, although many states are now using the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which standardises the Bar Exam across multiple states. Each state can set its own requirements for becoming a licensed attorney, so even if it uses the UBE, it may include additional exams or criteria.
To practice law in the state of New York, students need to pass the New York Bar Exam – a standardised test that is held twice a year (in February and July) and spans two days. Successful completion of the New York Bar Exam qualifies candidates to be admitted to the New York State Bar. Many US law schools offer courses that prepare students for the New York Bar Exam, and in some cases, this can be done alongside their LLM studies.
Law schools offering New York Bar Exam preparatory courses include Columbia Law School, New York University School of Law, Fordham Law, Cardozo School of Law, Brooklyn Law School and Cornell Law School. These law schools provide students access with Bar Exam preparations resources, workshops and exam practice. Some of them provide international LLM students with specialised support to help them prepare for the New York Bar Exam – for example Columbia Law School and NYU Law.
What to do when you aren’t studying
Whether you are interested in the hustle and bustle of a busy and energetic city, sightseeing of historical monuments and landmarks or enjoying quite time exploring landscapes outside the cities, the state of New York has it all. New York City boasts a host of famous American landmarks such as Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Carnegie Hall, Times Square, Central Park and the Radio City Music Hall. Students will also have access to a stunning list of museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art and the American Museum of Natural History as well as a variety of smaller galleries. As one of the world’s most bustling cities, New York City is also high on energy at night countless nightclubs, bars and restaurants that cater to everyone. Places in New York State worth visiting also include the Great Appalachian Valley in eastern New York, Adirondack Mountains in the west, the Catskill Mountains, the Hudson River and Niagara Falls.
What other US states can you study an LLM degree in?
There are plenty of LLM opportunities for those interested in the living and studying in the United States and we have essential LLM study guides to over 20 US states, including:
Use the LLM course search on LLMstudy.com to find your ideal LLM degree program in the United States.
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