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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Far Western Region

11 Colleges in the United States
$15,185 Avg Student Debt
$54,219 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Legal Professions Badge [Legal Professions](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/) 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 156 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value legal professions schools.

What’s on this page:

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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal professions, balancing cost against outcomes.

1

San Diego Miramar College tops our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools in the Far Western Region. 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, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #2 place for legal professions. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #3. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.

4
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.

5
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Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

A rank of #5 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for legal professions. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $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.

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College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.

7

Mt San Antonio College landed the #7 spot for legal professions value this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $14,353. Legal Professions graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $29,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,353 median debt.

8

College Of The Sequoias landed the #8 spot for legal professions value this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Irvine Valley College landed the #9 spot for legal professions value this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the legal professions program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College earned the #10 position for value in legal professions this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Pasadena City College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA

Hartnell College landed the #12 spot for legal professions value this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College earned the #13 position for value in legal professions this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $7,271. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College placed #14 among the best values for legal professions. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Riverside City College placed #15 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College placed #16 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College earned the #17 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $13,180. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.

18
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College landed the #18 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Santa Rosa Junior College placed #19 among the best values for legal professions. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20
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Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College placed #20 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $13,302. Legal Professions graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.

22

College Of Southern Nevada landed the #22 spot for legal professions value this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $8,506 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $28,803. That is a strong return on a $8,506 median debt.

23

Kapiolani Community College landed the #23 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,284, compared with $8,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,738 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $48,210 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

El Camino Community College District ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.

25

Spokane Community College placed #25 among the best values for legal professions. Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $16,486 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Spokane Community College generally make around $39,679. Set against $16,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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

26
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
27
Cuyamaca College crest
Cuyamaca College
El Cajon, CA
28
West Los Angeles College crest
West Los Angeles College
Culver City, CA
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30
31
32
33
34
Fullerton College crest
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA
35
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Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA
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37
38
39
Coastline Community College crest
Coastline Community College
Fountain Valley, CA
40
41
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East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA
42
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
43
44
45
46
47
48
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50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 156 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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