by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for legal studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked American Public University System the best value for a degree in legal studies in West Virginia. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $41,008 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $49,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes West Virginia University one of the best values for legal studies. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
1
2
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.