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2026 Best Value American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$23,706 Avg Student Debt
$81,204 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence Badge [American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-research/american-us-law-legal-studies-jurisprudence/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence students.

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2026 Best Value American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence Schools

1

Leading the list is Widener University Main Campus, our #1 best value for american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence graduates is $26,561. Early-career american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence graduates make about $60,864. That is a strong return on a $26,561 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

2

Students looking for strong value in american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence will find it at Cornell University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence graduates is $15,005. Soon after graduation, american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. That is a strong return on a $15,005 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

3
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,660. American/u.s. Law/legal Studies/jurisprudence graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Early-career american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence graduates make about $74,178. That is a strong return on a $24,848 median debt. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.

4
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Drexel University earned it the #4 place for american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $27,978 to complete the american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence program here. American/u.s. Law/legal Studies/jurisprudence graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $62,692 early in their careers. Set against $27,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.

5
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence schools. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Typical student debt for american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence graduates is $24,139. Soon after graduation, american/u.s. law/legal studies/jurisprudence degree recipients from American University generally make around $65,919. That is a strong return on a $24,139 median debt. American University admits about 62% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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