2026 Best Value Legal Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

For return on investment in legal studies, no school beat Northern Kentucky University this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $25,572. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

2

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,422 to complete the legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $34,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

3

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.

4

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $41,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $49,066. Set against $41,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value legal studies schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $23,772. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

6

Morehead State University
Morehead, KY

Morehead State University placed #6 among the best values for legal studies. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Students borrow a median of $26,230 to complete the legal studies program here. Legal Studies graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $28,504 early in their careers. Set against $26,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.

7

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value legal studies schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $25,750. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $38,387. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

8

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #8 spot for legal studies value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $19,500. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $68,359. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

9

National Park Community College
Hot Springs, AR

National Park Community College came in at #9 for value in legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,600, while out-of-state students pay about $7,280. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $14,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $42,458. That is a strong return on a $14,162 median debt.

10

Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University placed #10 among the best values for legal studies. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $26,064 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $37,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.

11

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #11 for value in legal studies this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

12

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #12 among the best values for legal studies. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the legal studies program here. Legal Studies graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.

13

Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University came in at #13 for value in legal studies this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $32,967. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.

14

Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value legal studies schools. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. In-state tuition and fees average $40,150. Students borrow a median of $21,039 to complete the legal studies program here. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $64,132. That is a strong return on a $21,039 median debt. Samford University admits about 82% of applicants.

15

Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value legal studies schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,540. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

16

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale landed the #16 spot for legal studies value this year. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,056 in tuition and fees. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $53,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Keiser University Ft Lauderdale generally make around $30,149. Set against $53,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami placed #17 among the best values for legal studies. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $49,624. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.