2026 Best Value Legal Studies Schools in Tennessee
[Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/general-legal-studies/legal-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value legal studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Legal Studies Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Legal Studies Schools
Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 best value for legal studies in Tennessee. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Lipscomb University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value legal studies schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,572. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $32,967 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in legal studies will find it at Belmont University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the legal studies program here. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $49,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
