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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value International Law & Legal Studies Master’s Degree Schools

5 Colleges in the United States
$23,424 Avg Student Debt
$74,382 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value International Law & Legal Studies Master's Degree Badge [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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value international law & legal studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international law & legal studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

1

For return on investment in international law & legal studies, no school beat University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #2 place for international law & legal studies. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.

3

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $130,948. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

4

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $23,138. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $68,505. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #5 place for international law & legal studies. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

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St Marys University crest
St Marys University
San Antonio, TX

St Marys University landed the #6 spot for international law & legal studies value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,434. Students borrow a median of $25,040 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. 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%.

7

The University Of Alabama came in at #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of The Pacific placed #8 among the best values for international law & legal studies. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,080. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $73,893. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

9

Golden Gate University San Francisco ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Golden Gate University San Francisco is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,343. Students borrow a median of $33,968 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of Golden Gate University San Francisco earn a median of $88,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #10 position for value in international law & legal studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $25,310. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.

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St Johns University New York came in at #11 for value in international law & legal studies this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $25,521 in student loans. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $74,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,521 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

12
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University came in at #12 for value in international law & legal studies this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of Temple University earn a median of $102,915 early in their careers. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of San Diego landed the #13 spot for international law & legal studies value this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $23,795. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $68,281. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.

14
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #14 position for value in international law & legal studies this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $21,897. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.

15

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,872 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $64,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

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Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University came in at #16 for value in international law & legal studies this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $27,414. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $48,834. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

17

Loyola University Chicago ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $98,283. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

18
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,660. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $55,705. Set against $24,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

19
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #19 for value in international law & legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. The acceptance rate is 19%.

20

George Washington University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $90,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.

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21

Case Western Reserve University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.

22
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University earned the #22 position for value in international law & legal studies this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $130,394 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.

23
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University placed #23 among the best values for international law & legal studies. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of American University earn a median of $65,919 early in their careers. Set against $24,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American University admits about 62% of applicants.

24

Tulane University Of Louisiana earned the #24 position for value in international law & legal studies this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,678. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $22,077. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $54,082. Set against $22,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tulane University Of Louisiana admits about 14% of applicants.

25

University Of New Hampshire School Of Law earned the #25 position for value in international law & legal studies this year. Set in the town of Concord, University Of New Hampshire School Of Law is a small public institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,479 ten years after entry.

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value International Law & Legal Studies rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in International Law & Legal Studies
Associate's Degrees in International Law & Legal Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in International Law & Legal Studies
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View All International Law & Legal Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 34 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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