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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Legal Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

3 Colleges in the United States
$27,178 Avg Student Debt
$61,293 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Legal Studies Badge [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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong legal studies education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for legal studies students.

What’s on this page:

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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.

1
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University earned the #1 spot for value among legal studies schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the legal studies program here. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $40,059. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

2
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

A rank of #2 makes Webster University one of the best values for legal studies. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete the legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $57,152. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

3
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

A rank of #3 makes Bellevue University one of the best values for legal studies. Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $37,250 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $44,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value legal studies schools. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

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Notes and References

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 · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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