ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

24 Colleges in the United States
$21,831 Avg Student Debt
$60,829 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong legal professions education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 156 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value legal professions schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 5
DEBUG: ROOT LEVEL MAJOR detected (no cip4), lowering min_relevance to 0.5
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.5, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Legal Studies (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Legal Studies (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Criminal Justice & Law Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Criminal Justice & Law Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Legal Services & Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Legal Services & Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Legal Services (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Legal Services (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Paralegal (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Paralegal (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 5
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 5 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 5
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0

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

1

Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for legal professions in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nassau Community College earned it the #2 place for legal professions. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $32,464 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #3 place for legal professions. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $14,563. Legal Professions graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $34,675 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,563 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

4

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $9,500. Legal Professions graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $32,649 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

5
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $36,358. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

ADBLOCK #101
6

Essex County College came in at #6 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $37,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #7 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $18,038. Legal Professions graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8
Burlington County College crest
Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Burlington County College landed the #8 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $12,488. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Raritan Valley Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Erie Community College landed the #10 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $14,894. Legal Professions graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

ADBLOCK #115
11
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Students borrow a median of $11,230 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $24,833. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Monroe Community College earned the #12 position for value in legal professions this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $34,799. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Delaware Technical Community College Terry placed #13 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $11,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $43,322. Set against $11,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Delaware County Community College came in at #14 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. Set against $14,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Community College Of Allegheny County came in at #15 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.

ADBLOCK #145
16

Bucks County Community College landed the #16 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $16,052 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $37,711. That is a strong return on a $16,052 median debt.

17

Lehigh Carbon Community College earned the #17 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Bergen Community College landed the #18 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,913, while out-of-state students pay about $9,294. Students borrow a median of $17,720 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $51,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,720 median debt.

19

Suny Westchester Community College landed the #19 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.

20

Harford Community College placed #20 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $12,624 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $50,636. That is a strong return on a $12,624 median debt.

ADBLOCK #150
21

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #21 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $13,337. Legal Professions graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $40,240 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,337 median debt.

22

Prince Georges Community College landed the #22 spot for legal professions value this year. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $13,949 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.

23

University Of Maryland University College earned the #23 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $31,017 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $54,304 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Montclair State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $25,000. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $27,613. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

25

Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #25 position for value in legal professions this year. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,812 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $37,988. That is a strong return on a $20,812 median debt.

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

26
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE
27
Peirce College crest
Peirce College
Philadelphia, PA
28
29
30
31
32
33
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Plaza College crest
Plaza College
Forest Hills, NY
41
42
43
44
45
Stevenson University crest
Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD
46
47
48
49
50
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

ADBLOCK #173
View All Legal Professions Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

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 · 156 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options