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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools

25 Colleges in the United States
$22,441 Avg Student Debt
$72,006 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Legal Professions Master's Degree Badge [Legal Professions](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

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
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among legal professions schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $106,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #2. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $25,572. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $47,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #3 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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #4. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $64,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned it the #5 place for legal professions. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $5,673. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $29,582. Set against $5,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

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6
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University earned the #6 position for value in legal professions this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $162,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

7

American Public University System came in at #7 for value in legal professions this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $29,337. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $41,878. Set against $29,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #8 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $19,500. Legal Professions graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $80,883 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

9

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #9 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, 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 $63,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,963 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

10

University Of California Irvine ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $16,539. Legal Professions graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $93,534 early in their careers. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

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11
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #11 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $77,542 early in their careers. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of California Berkeley landed the #12 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $13,723 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $60,144. That is a strong return on a $13,723 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

13

University Of Georgia came in at #13 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $69,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

14

West Virginia University came in at #14 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $58,881. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

15

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $170,537 early in their careers. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #16 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $91,845. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

17

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #17 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $20,778. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $84,855. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

18

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #18 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $17,383. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $52,016. That is a strong return on a $17,383 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.

19

University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #19 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $23,741. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

20

University Of California Davis landed the #20 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $85,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

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21

Arizona State University earned the #21 position for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $19,827. Legal Professions graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,827 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

22

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #22 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $75,186 early in their careers. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

23
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University earned the #23 position for value in legal professions this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $175,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

24

University Of Arizona placed #24 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $20,937 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $58,446. Set against $20,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

25

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #25 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $12,184. Legal Professions graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s legal professions value ranking:

26
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN
27
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30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
38
39
40
41
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
49
50
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Explore the best-value legal professions schools at other degree levels:

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

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 25 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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