by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for legal professions students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Essex County College the best value for a degree in legal professions in New Jersey. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $37,915. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Burlington County College earned it the #2 place for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Raritan Valley Community College, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Bergen Community College one of the best values for legal professions. Bergen Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Paramus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,913, compared with $9,294 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $17,720. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Bergen Community College generally make around $51,280. That is a strong return on a $17,720 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $27,613. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #6 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $30,326. That is a strong return on a $25,644 median debt. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #7 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Students borrow a median of $24,577 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $54,504. Set against $24,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rutgers University Newark came in at #8 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $25,065. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $54,296. Set against $25,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #9 position for value in legal professions this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,777, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Students borrow a median of $24,014 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $48,545 early in their careers. Set against $24,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Berkeley College Woodland Park ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the suburb of Woodland Park, Berkeley College Woodland Park is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,320 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $34,413. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Berkeley College Woodland Park generally make around $32,325. Set against $34,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seton Hall University landed the #11 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $23,422 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $104,755. That is a strong return on a $23,422 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
