by our College Data Analytics Team
[Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/general-legal-studies/legal-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for legal studies students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Ivy Tech Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value legal studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $22,831. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $40,734. Set against $22,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #3 makes Henry Ford Community College one of the best values for legal studies. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value legal studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $23,677. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $56,998. That is a strong return on a $23,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Superior one of the best values for legal studies. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $27,845. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $45,219. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #6 among the best values for legal studies. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $25,306. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $45,767. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value legal studies schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $20,980 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $41,144. That is a strong return on a $20,980 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
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Michigan State University landed the #8 spot for legal studies value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $24,753. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $54,166. Set against $24,753 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for legal studies. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $23,530. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.