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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Legal Professions Associate’s Degree Schools

78 Colleges in the United States
$15,409 Avg Student Debt
$41,653 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Legal Professions Associate's Degree Badge [Legal Professions](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 975 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value legal professions schools.

What’s on this page:

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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal professions degrees they offer, see the list below.

1

Florida State College At Jacksonville tops our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools in the United States. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Fresno City College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

3
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College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

A rank of #3 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #4 place for legal professions. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.

5

Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #5. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $35,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.

7

Lewis And Clark Community College placed #7 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.

8
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West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College came in at #8 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9
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Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College placed #9 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.

10

Mt San Antonio College came in at #10 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $14,353 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $29,569. That is a strong return on a $14,353 median debt.

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El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College earned the #11 position 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $17,294 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $33,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,294 median debt.

12
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Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.

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Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College landed the #13 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College placed #14 among the best values for legal professions. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $8,093. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $33,073. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #15 for value in legal professions this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Suffolk County Community College placed #16 among the best values for legal professions. 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, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Hillsborough Community College landed the #17 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $21,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $39,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Irvine Valley College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.

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Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College came in at #19 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $14,083. 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.

20

Alvin Community College earned the #20 position for value in legal professions this year. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Pasadena City College ranked #21 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.

22
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Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College earned the #22 position for value in legal professions this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $9,000. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $32,464. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Students borrow a median of $12,950 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,782. Set against $12,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Henry Ford Community College came in at #24 for value in legal professions this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.

25

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $38,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in legal professions:

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28
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De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
29
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31
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA
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35
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37
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American River College
Sacramento, CA
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40
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Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC
41
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44
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Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
45
46
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Harper College
Palatine, IL
47
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50

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Legal Professions rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Legal Professions
Bachelor's Degrees in Legal Professions
Master's Degrees in Legal Professions
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View All Legal Professions Rankings >

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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 · 975 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 78 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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