by our College Data Analytics Team
[Legal Professions](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 975 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for legal professions students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked St Petersburg College the best value for a degree in legal professions in the United States. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $35,238 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $43,499. That is a strong return on a $35,238 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for legal professions. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $32,649. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $14,563. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $34,675. Set against $14,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $47,291. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #5 place for legal professions. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $36,524. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $24,925. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #7 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $17,383 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $39,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,383 median debt. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #8 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $22,777 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $39,824. Set against $22,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #9 among the best values for legal professions. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $42,723. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #10 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $21,422 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $34,408 early in their careers. Set against $21,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #11 position for value in legal professions this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $21,963 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $64,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,963 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #12 among the best values for legal professions. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $24,375. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $54,201. That is a strong return on a $24,375 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System placed #13 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Students borrow a median of $29,337 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $41,400. That is a strong return on a $29,337 median debt.
Clayton State University placed #14 among the best values for legal professions. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. Students from in state pay about $5,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $40,792. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $36,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #15 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $17,383 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $52,016. That is a strong return on a $17,383 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #16 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $25,122. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $43,891. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University landed the #17 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,230 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $28,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Utah State University came in at #18 for value in legal professions this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $16,191. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #19 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $23,017. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Northeastern State University landed the #20 spot for legal professions value this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $49,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $24,386. Legal Professions graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,386 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $13,723 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $60,141 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,723 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in legal professions this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $45,878. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Superior placed #25 among the best values for legal professions. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $45,219 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s legal professions value ranking:
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Explore the best-value legal professions schools at other degree levels:
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 · 975 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
