by our College Data Analytics Team
[Law](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/law/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value law schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the law degrees they offer, see the list below.
George Mason University tops our 2026 list of the best value law schools in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for law graduates is $23,529. Early-career law graduates make about $77,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of William And Mary earned it the #2 place for law. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Law graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. Law graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $77,921 early in their careers. Set against $18,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
Regent University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in law, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for law graduates is $29,451. Early-career law graduates make about $59,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Virginia Main Campus earned it the #4 place for law. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for law graduates is $18,627. Law graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $204,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Washington And Lee University one of the best values for law. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,045 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for law graduates is $20,074. Law graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $77,253 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington And Lee University admits about 14% of applicants.
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Liberty University earned the #6 position for value in law this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Law graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Early-career law graduates make about $45,877. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Richmond earned the #7 position for value in law this year. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,230. Law graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $66,704 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,634 median debt. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.