2026 Best Value Law Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Leading the list is Columbia University In The City Of New York, our #1 best value for law in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Law graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $220,843. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

Rutgers University Newark
Newark, NJ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rutgers University Newark earned it the #2 place for law. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Typical student debt for law graduates is $25,065. Early-career law graduates make about $54,296. That is a strong return on a $25,065 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

3

Rutgers University Camden
Camden, NJ

Students looking for strong value in law will find it at Rutgers University Camden, which ranked #3. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,764, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Students borrow a median of $24,577 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $54,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.

4

University Of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

University Of Baltimore came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Law graduates carry a median of $29,681 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $62,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

5

St Johns University New York
Queens, NY

St Johns University New York is a great value for students pursuing a degree in law, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,529. Law graduates carry a median of $25,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $82,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

6

Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University came in at #6 for value in law this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Law graduates carry a median of $23,422 in student loans. Early-career law graduates make about $70,710. That is a strong return on a $23,422 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

7

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo earned the #7 position for value in law this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Law graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $64,220. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

8

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for law graduates is $26,259. Law graduates of Temple University earn a median of $71,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.

9

University Of The District Of Columbia
Washington, DC

University Of The District Of Columbia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Law graduates carry a median of $32,304 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $59,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,052. Typical student debt for law graduates is $20,285. Law graduates of Touro College earn a median of $61,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

11

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania placed #11 among the best values for law. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for law graduates is $16,155. Law graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $157,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.

12

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #12 for value in law this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for law graduates is $24,958. Law graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $67,318 early in their careers. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

13

Widener University Main Campus
Chester, PA

Widener University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,730. Students borrow a median of $26,561 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $55,829 early in their careers. Set against $26,561 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

14

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $213,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

15

Pace University New York
New York, NY

Pace University New York ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,510. Typical student debt for law graduates is $25,670. Law graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $67,469 early in their careers. Set against $25,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.

16

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 61%.

17

New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #17 spot for law value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical student debt for law graduates is $21,897. Early-career law graduates make about $64,516. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

18

Catholic University Of America
Washington, DC

Catholic University Of America landed the #18 spot for law value this year. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. Law graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $77,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

19

Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University placed #19 among the best values for law. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $59,904. Set against $26,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.

20

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University placed #20 among the best values for law. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Law graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Law graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $95,225 early in their careers. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.

21

Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University came in at #21 for value in law this year. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,660. Law graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Law graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $69,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,848 median debt. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.

22

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University landed the #22 spot for law value this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Law graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $168,995. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.

23

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University placed #23 among the best values for law. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $60,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

24

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $67,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

25

American University
Washington, DC

American University came in at #25 for value in law this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Typical student debt for law graduates is $24,139. Early-career law graduates make about $73,725. Set against $24,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.