2026 Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools

1

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College tops our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools in the United States. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $7,234. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Students looking for strong value in non-professional general legal studies will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.

3

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #3 place for non-professional general legal studies. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $9,500. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $32,649 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

4

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $11,196. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #5 place for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.

6

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College came in at #6 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.

7

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

8

Hartnell College
Salinas, CA

Hartnell College placed #8 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College earned the #9 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #10 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $17,383 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $39,558. That is a strong return on a $17,383 median debt. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

11

Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College landed the #11 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University placed #12 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

13

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College earned the #13 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $22,831. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #14 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $24,925. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.

15

Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College came in at #15 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $6,952. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida placed #16 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $21,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $34,408. Set against $21,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

17

San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton, CA

San Joaquin Delta College earned the #17 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $17,383. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $39,558. Set against $17,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

19

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #19 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University placed #20 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $16,191. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.

21

Harford Community College
Bel Air, MD

Harford Community College earned the #21 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $12,624 in student loans. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Harford Community College earn a median of $50,636 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. That is a strong return on a $8,180 median debt.

23

Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles City College earned the #23 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,763 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Los Angeles City College earn a median of $83,699 early in their careers. Set against $10,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,673 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

25

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System placed #25 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $41,008 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $49,066. That is a strong return on a $41,008 median debt.