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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value General Advanced Legal Research/Studies Master’s Degree Schools

10 Colleges in the United States
$21,816 Avg Student Debt
$77,270 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Advanced Legal Research/Studies Master's Degree Badge [General Advanced Legal Research/Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-research/advanced-legal-research-studies-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 90 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general advanced legal research/studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general advanced legal research/studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University earned the #1 spot for value among general advanced legal research/studies schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $10,492. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

2
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general advanced legal research/studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $80,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

3

Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general advanced legal research/studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general advanced legal research/studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

5

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general advanced legal research/studies schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the general advanced legal research/studies program here. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $64,399. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

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6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #6 spot for general advanced legal research/studies value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Georgia earned the #7 position for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the general advanced legal research/studies program here. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

8

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #8 for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the general advanced legal research/studies program here. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

9

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #9 position for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $16,097. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $91,677 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

10

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #10 for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $16,481. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $52,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

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11

University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general advanced legal research/studies schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

12

Arizona State University earned the #12 position for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,326. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

13

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #13 for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the general advanced legal research/studies program here. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

14
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general advanced legal research/studies schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

15

University Of Arizona ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general advanced legal research/studies schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

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16

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #16 spot for general advanced legal research/studies value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

17

Wayne State University earned the #17 position for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Chicago earned the #18 position for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

19

Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #19 among the best values for general advanced legal research/studies. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the general advanced legal research/studies program here. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.

20

The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general advanced legal research/studies schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

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21

Cleveland State University landed the #21 spot for general advanced legal research/studies value this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $49,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

22

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #22 among the best values for general advanced legal research/studies. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $23,258. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $130,948. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

23

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #23 for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $68,505. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

24

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #24 position for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the general advanced legal research/studies program here. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $102,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

25
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University came in at #25 for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $48,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,530 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general advanced legal research/studies value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
31
32
33
34
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
35
36
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
37
38
39
40
41
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
42
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
43
44
45
46
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
47
48
49
50
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Advanced Legal Research/Studies rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Advanced Legal Research/Studies
Associate's Degrees in General Advanced Legal Research/Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in General Advanced Legal Research/Studies
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View All General Advanced Legal Research/Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 90 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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