2026 Best Value Law Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities tops our 2026 list of the best value law schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for law graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $77,642. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

2

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

Students looking for strong value in law will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

3

Washburn University
Topeka, KS

Students looking for strong value in law will find it at Washburn University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for law graduates is $21,175. Early-career law graduates make about $60,606. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $70,180. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

5

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned it the #5 place for law. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $66,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

6

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota earned the #6 position for value in law this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $61,451. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota came in at #7 for value in law this year. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Law graduates carry a median of $26,322 in student loans. Early-career law graduates make about $51,566. Set against $26,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #8 spot for law value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Law graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $59,716 early in their careers. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #9 spot for law value this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Law graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $78,560 early in their careers. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

10

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $87,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.

11

Saint Louis University Main Campus
Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for law graduates is $26,586. Law graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $71,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.

12

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University landed the #12 spot for law value this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Law graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $72,226. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

13

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #13 among the best values for law. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Law graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,744. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

14

Creighton University
Omaha, NE

Creighton University placed #14 among the best values for law. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,856. Typical student debt for law graduates is $25,831. Law graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $65,179 early in their careers. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.