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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 106 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value legal professions schools.
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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.
El Centro College tops our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $17,294. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $33,381. Set against $17,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alvin Community College earned it the #2 place for legal professions. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $10,655. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar State College Orange earned it the #5 place for legal professions. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Tarrant County College District ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $38,404. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Austin Community College District placed #7 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $19,242. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,216. Set against $19,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
South Texas College earned the #9 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $6,868. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College landed the #10 spot for legal professions value this year. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $11,839. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
El Paso Community College came in at #11 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Amarillo College placed #12 among the best values for legal professions. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $15,720. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
Houston Community College came in at #13 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Central Texas College came in at #14 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $11,290. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
Yavapai College placed #15 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $14,087. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $52,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #16 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $11,376. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
South Plains College placed #17 among the best values for legal professions. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Collin County Community College District placed #19 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
Lone Star College System earned the #20 position for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,251 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $36,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Salado College came in at #21 for value in legal professions this year. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $13,679. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #22 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $42,723. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Odessa College placed #23 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $9,087. Legal Professions graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #24 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $24,375 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Tyler Junior College landed the #25 spot for legal professions value this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $14,869. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $43,348. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in legal professions:
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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 · 106 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.