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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Law Schools in Ohio

2 Colleges in the United States
$25,251 Avg Student Debt
$62,575 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Law Badge [Law](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/law/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for law students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Law Schools in Ohio

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in law, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Law Schools

1

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among law schools in Ohio. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $57,386. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes Cleveland State University one of the best values for law. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for law graduates is $26,336. Early-career law graduates make about $64,805. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

3

A rank of #3 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the best values for law. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Law graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Law graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $77,868 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

4

University Of Toledo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in law, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Law graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $57,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Cincinnati Main Campus one of the best values for law. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for law graduates is $23,530. Law graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $60,967 early in their careers. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

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Capital University crest
Capital University
Columbus, OH

Capital University earned the #6 position for value in law this year. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,234. Typical student debt for law graduates is $28,269. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $62,010. Set against $28,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.

7

Ohio Northern University earned the #7 position for value in law this year. Set in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,600. Law graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. Law graduates of Ohio Northern University earn a median of $55,402 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

8

University Of Dayton earned the #8 position for value in law this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Typical student debt for law graduates is $25,033. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $56,077. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.

9

Case Western Reserve University came in at #9 for value in law this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $70,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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