2026 Best Value International Law & Legal Studies Schools
[International Law & Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-research/international-law-and-legal-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong international law & legal studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international law & legal studies students.
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Finding the Best Value International Law & Legal Studies School for You
Where you study international law & legal studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value International Law & Legal Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value International Law & Legal Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value International Law & Legal Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international law & legal studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Law & Legal Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in international law & legal studies in the United States. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Utah one of the best values for international law & legal studies. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $20,798. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in international law & legal studies will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the best values for international law & legal 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. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $175,901 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus one of the best values for international law & legal studies. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $23,138. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $68,505. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Houston earned the #6 position for value in international law & legal studies this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $21,255. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
St Marys University came in at #7 for value in international law & legal studies this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,434. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $25,040. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from St Marys University generally make around $42,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The University Of Alabama came in at #8 for value in international law & legal studies this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $50,740. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Pacific came in at #9 for value in international law & legal studies this year. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,080. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $23,514. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $73,893. That is a strong return on a $23,514 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University placed #10 among the best values for international law & legal studies. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $25,310. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $55,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Temple University landed the #11 spot for international law & legal studies value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $26,259. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $102,915. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
St Johns University New York ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,529. Students borrow a median of $25,521 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $74,248. Set against $25,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Diego placed #13 among the best values for international law & legal studies. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $23,795. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
New York University came in at #14 for value in international law & legal studies this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $21,897. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #15 position for value in international law & legal studies this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $24,872. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $64,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,872 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Liberty University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $48,834. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago placed #17 among the best values for international law & legal studies. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $98,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University earned the #18 position for value in international law & legal studies this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,660 in tuition and fees. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $55,705. Set against $24,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Miami ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $75,849 early in their careers. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.
George Washington University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $22,910. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $90,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Case Western Reserve University landed the #21 spot for international law & legal studies value this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $74,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Georgetown University placed #22 among the best values for international law & legal studies. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $16,483. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $101,347. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.
American University placed #23 among the best values for international law & legal studies. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $24,139. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from American University generally make around $65,919. That is a strong return on a $24,139 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #24 spot for international law & legal studies value this year. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,678. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $22,077. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $54,082. Set against $22,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tulane University Of Louisiana admits about 14% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
