by our College Data Analytics Team
[Legal Professions](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for legal professions students.
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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.
For return on investment in legal professions, no school beat Milwaukee Area Technical College this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $38,325. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $13,319. Legal Professions graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $42,016. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $45,531. That is a strong return on a $14,234 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Madison Area Technical College one of the best values for legal professions. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $16,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned the #6 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $23,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $56,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Superior earned the #7 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,812, while out-of-state students pay about $16,726. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $27,845. 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.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #8 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $45,767. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #9 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $20,980. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $48,562. That is a strong return on a $20,980 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Marquette University placed #10 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,170. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $24,122. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $63,027. Set against $24,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marquette University admits about 81% of applicants.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.