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2026 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in District of Columbia

1 Colleges in the United States
$25,964 Avg Student Debt
$75,382 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Legal Professions Badge [Legal Professions](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong legal professions education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value legal professions schools.

What’s on this page:

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal professions degrees they offer, see the list below.

1

Our analysis ranked University Of The District Of Columbia the best value for a degree in legal professions in District of Columbia. University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,662, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $40,750 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $46,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Catholic University Of America came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $77,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Washington University earned it the #3 place for legal professions. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $22,910. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $90,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.

4
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $101,439. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

5
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

A rank of #5 makes American University one of the best values for legal professions. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $24,375 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $65,891. Set against $24,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

6
Howard University crest
Howard University
Washington, DC

Howard University came in at #6 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,810. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $25,498. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $81,173. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.

View All Legal Professions Rankings >

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 · 6 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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