2026 Best Value Legal Professions Schools

1

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville tops our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools in the United States. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $19,139. Legal Professions graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.

2

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $7,234. Legal Professions graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

3

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #3 spot this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $8,098. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.

4

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Petersburg College earned it the #4 place for legal professions. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $32,383 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $43,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at West Valley College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College landed the #7 spot for legal professions value this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $39,663 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.

8

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.

9

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #9 position for value in legal professions this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $39,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College earned the #11 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $14,353 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $29,569. That is a strong return on a $14,353 median debt.

12

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College came in at #12 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $17,294 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $33,381. Set against $17,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College earned the #13 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice landed the #14 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $32,649. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

15

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College placed #15 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.

16

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned the #16 position for value in legal professions this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $33,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College earned the #17 position for value in legal professions this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $19,500. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.

18

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Irvine Valley College came in at #18 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.

20

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $9,191. Legal Professions graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Alvin Community College
Alvin, TX

Alvin Community College earned the #21 position for value in legal professions this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $8,600. Legal Professions graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, FL

Hillsborough Community College landed the #22 spot for legal professions value this year. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $24,018 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $41,694 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

Miami Dade College placed #23 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $12,950. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College landed the #24 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,083 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $42,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the legal professions program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.