2026 Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among non-professional general legal studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $32,649. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $31,017 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $54,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,017 median debt.

3

Harford Community College
Bel Air, MD

Students looking for strong value in non-professional general legal studies will find it at Harford Community College, which ranked #3. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,832 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $12,624. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $50,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in non-professional general legal studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $38,579. That is a strong return on a $29,250 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

University Of Baltimore is a great value for students pursuing a degree in non-professional general legal studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $29,681. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $56,837. Set against $29,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

6

University Of The District Of Columbia
Washington, DC

University Of The District Of Columbia placed #6 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,662, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $40,750 in student loans. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $43,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo placed #7 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.

8

Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Mahwah, NJ

Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #8 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $24,014. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $48,545. Set against $24,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

9

William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ

William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #9 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,644 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $30,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

10

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #10 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

11

Saint John Fisher College
Rochester, NY

Saint John Fisher College earned the #11 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,190. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $25,086. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Saint John Fisher College generally make around $55,630. That is a strong return on a $25,086 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

12

St Johns University New York
Queens, NY

St Johns University New York placed #12 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $26,030. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $29,307. That is a strong return on a $26,030 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

13

Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA

Thomas Jefferson University earned the #13 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $32,256 in student loans. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $64,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

14

Pace University New York
New York, NY

Pace University New York earned the #14 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,510. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $25,670. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $59,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

15

Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA

Dickinson College placed #15 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. Students from in state pay about $65,650 in tuition and fees. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $19,014 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Dickinson College generally make around $39,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

16

Siena College
Loudonville, NY

Siena College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Set in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,805. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Siena College earn a median of $32,435 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Siena College admits about 69% of applicants.

17

American University
Washington, DC

American University came in at #17 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from American University generally make around $45,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.