by our College Data Analytics Team
[Legal Professions](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
For return on investment in legal professions, no school beat Johnson County Community College this year. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $19,367 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $44,921. Set against $19,367 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $20,250. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $60,606. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #3 place for legal professions. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $70,180 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.