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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Master’s Degree Schools

4 Colleges in the United States
$24,231 Avg Student Debt
$52,852 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Master's Degree Badge [Non-Professional General Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/general-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 293 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for non-professional general 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 non-professional general legal studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

1
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University earned the #1 spot for value among non-professional general legal studies schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Springfield earned it the #2 place for non-professional general legal studies. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $24,925. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $53,344. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

3

American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in non-professional general legal studies, landing the #3 spot this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $41,008 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $52,022 early in their careers. Set against $41,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Students looking for strong value in non-professional general legal studies will find it at University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras, which ranked #4. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,673 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University earned it the #5 place for non-professional general legal studies. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of Arizona came in at #6 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $21,861. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #7 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $47,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.

8
Trinity Law School crest
Trinity Law School
Santa Ana, CA

Trinity Law School placed #8 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Trinity Law School is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Ana. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Trinity Law School generally make around $47,750.

9
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University earned the #9 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $57,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.

10

Pace University New York came in at #10 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $53,510. Students borrow a median of $25,670 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $59,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

Explore the best-value non-professional general legal studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Non-Professional General Legal Studies
Associate's Degrees in Non-Professional General Legal Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Non-Professional General Legal Studies
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View All Non-Professional General Legal Studies Rankings >

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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 · 293 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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