2026 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in New York
[Legal Professions](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 64 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value legal professions schools.
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2026 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Legal Professions Schools
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice tops our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $32,649. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suffolk County Community College earned it the #2 place for legal professions. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $19,500. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #3 place for legal professions. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. 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. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $34,675. Set against $14,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nassau Community College earned it the #4 place for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $32,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Cuny Laguardia Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $36,358 early in their careers. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College placed #6 among the best values for legal professions. 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. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. That is a strong return on a $14,894 median debt.
Monroe Community College landed the #7 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College placed #8 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $176,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,742, while out-of-state students pay about $15,769. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $30,708 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Canton earn a median of $48,269 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College Of Technology At Canton admits about 92% of applicants.
Bryant And Stratton College Online ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the suburb of Orchard Park, Bryant And Stratton College Online is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,274 in tuition and fees. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $21,930 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Bryant And Stratton College Online generally make around $33,698. Set against $21,930 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercy College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $29,250. Legal Professions graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $38,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Plaza College came in at #13 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Forest Hills, Plaza College is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,450. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Plaza College generally make around $29,454. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. Plaza College admits about 30% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #14 for value in legal professions this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $22,232. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $64,220. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
St Johns University New York earned the #15 position for value in legal professions this year. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $53,529 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,030 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $73,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Saint John Fisher College earned the #16 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,190. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $25,086 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $55,630. Set against $25,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Berkeley College New York placed #17 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of New York, Berkeley College New York is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,529 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,884 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Berkeley College New York generally make around $36,131. Set against $35,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Touro College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,052. Students borrow a median of $20,285 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $61,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Touro College admits about 61% of applicants.
Cornell University earned the #19 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $213,356. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Pace University New York came in at #20 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $25,670 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $67,469 early in their careers. Set against $25,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Siena College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,805 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Siena College earn a median of $32,435 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
New York University placed #22 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from New York University generally make around $167,839. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Hofstra University earned the #23 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. Students borrow a median of $21,693 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $74,089 early in their careers. Set against $21,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Marist College earned the #24 position for value in legal professions this year. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Students from in state pay about $47,620 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Marist College earn a median of $41,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University came in at #25 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $67,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Legal Professions Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s legal professions value ranking:
More Legal Professions Rankings
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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
