The article focuses on how students’ legal culture contributes to the sustainable development of the state. It emphasizes that socially active behavior and citizenship are essential for combating legal nihilism. The paper discusses the characteristics and challenges in forming students’ legal culture, particularly through courses like “Fundamentals of Russian Statehood” and “Law”. It presents findings from an investigation of students’ legal culture and their perception of the legal system generally. The authors also examine the factors affecting students’ legal culture and suggest ways to enhance it. The research indicates that exposure to literature containing moral and legal dilemmas, as well as cultural narratives, positively influences students’ culture and motivation. Finally, the article offers recommendations aimed at improving the legal knowledge of students, which is crucial for the sustainable development of the state.