by our College Data Analytics Team
[Law](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/law/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value law schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the law degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among law schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for law graduates is $19,137. Early-career law graduates make about $170,537. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Wayne State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $70,500. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Baker College Of Flint came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Set in the town of Owosso, Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,000. Typical student debt for law graduates is $30,688. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Baker College Of Flint generally make around $46,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Detroit Mercy earned it the #4 place for law. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Typical student debt for law graduates is $29,053. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $63,731. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Students looking for strong value in law will find it at Michigan State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for law graduates is $25,213. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $67,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.