2026 Best Value Legal Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/general-legal-studies/legal-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for legal studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Legal Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
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 The University Of Texas At San Antonio, our #1 best value for legal studies in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $23,017. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in legal studies will find it at Northeastern State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $49,353. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for legal studies. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $19,827 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $42,228 early in their careers. Set against $19,827 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arizona earned it the #4 place for legal studies. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $21,861. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas State University San Marcos is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $23,659. Legal Studies graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $47,456 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
National Paralegal College placed #6 among the best values for legal studies. Located in the city of Phoenix, National Paralegal College is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $7,995 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $53,118. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from National Paralegal College generally make around $35,764. Set against $53,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarleton State University came in at #7 for value in legal studies this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the legal studies program here. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $50,532. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
