2026 Best Value Law Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in law, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for law graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $72,350. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Students looking for strong value in law will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Law graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career law graduates make about $162,001. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for law. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $81,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #4 place for law. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $62,322. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in law will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Law graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Early-career law graduates make about $155,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

6

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #6 spot for law value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Law graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Early-career law graduates make about $62,854. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for value in law this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $170,537. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley placed #8 among the best values for law. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Law graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $196,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

9

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University earned the #9 position for value in law this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for law graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $64,813. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

10

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for law graduates is $16,539. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $93,534. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

11

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #11 position for value in law this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for law graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $72,119. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

12

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #12 spot for law value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $81,079. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

13

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #13 among the best values for law. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for law graduates is $23,146. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $64,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #14 for value in law this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for law graduates is $21,181. Law graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $76,561 early in their careers. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

15

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #15 for value in law this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Law graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career law graduates make about $76,702. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

16

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Law graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $84,855. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

17

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #17 spot for law value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Law graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $88,163 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

18

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #18 position for value in law this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for law graduates is $14,404. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $85,816. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

19

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $175,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #21 position for value in law this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for law graduates is $20,798. Law graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $77,542 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

22

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #22 spot for law value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

23

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #23 for value in law this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Law graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Law graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $75,186 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

24

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $61,048. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

25

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University landed the #25 spot for law value this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Law graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Law graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $47,291 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.