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2023 Best Value Colleges for Legal Studies (Income $0-$30k)

47 Ranked Colleges
3,818 Degrees Awarded
$7,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Legal Studies is the 195th most popular major in the country with 3,818 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

For this year’s “Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 47 colleges that offer a degree in legal studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality legal studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the legal studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k.

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s legal studies degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Legal Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $245 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Northwestern Legal Studies Report

2
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 34 ’s legal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Legal Studies Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt University is $3,176 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Legal Studies at Vanderbilt University

3
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Pennsylvania is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 28 ’s legal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Legal Studies Schools” ranking. It costs about $580 for Legal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Pennsylvania.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Studies at University of Pennsylvania

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 112 ’s legal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Legal Studies Schools” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $3,981 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Legal Studies at University of Wisconsin - Madison

5
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s legal studies degrees to qualified students.

Harvard also took the #10 spot in our “Best Legal Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harvard University is $2,564 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Studies at Harvard

6

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 216 degrees to qualified ’s legal studies students in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also took the #2 spot in our “Best Legal Studies Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $8,450 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Legal Studies at UC Berkeley

7

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 127 ’s legal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Legal Studies Schools” list. It costs about $5,194 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UW Seattle Legal Studies Report

8

John Jay College of Criminal Justice landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. John Jay College of Criminal Justice is located in New York, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 148 ’s legal studies degrees to qualified students.

John Jay did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Legal Studies Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend John Jay is $788 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

9

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school handed out 158 diplomas to qualified ’s legal studies students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Legal Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Arizona State University - Tempe is $8,969 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full ASU - Tempe Legal Studies Report

10

With a ranking of #10, University of Central Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 264 ’s legal studies degrees to qualified students.

UCF also made our “Best Legal Studies Schools” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $4,468 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCF.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Studies at University of Central Florida

11
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. American Military University is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 115 ’s legal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

American Military University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Legal Studies Schools” list. It costs about $9,660 for Legal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend American Public University System.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%.

Full American Public University System Legal Studies Report

12

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 148 ’s legal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Legal Studies Schools” list. It costs about $11,038 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Santa Cruz.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Legal Studies Report

13
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

With a ranking of #13, Ivy Tech Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ivy Tech Community College is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s legal studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $6,213 for Legal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ivy Tech Community College.

Read more about Legal Studies at Ivy Tech Community College

14

University of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, and it awarded 99 ’s legal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMass Amherst has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Legal Studies Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Massachusetts Amherst is $12,033 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Studies at University of Massachusetts Amherst

15
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tucson, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s legal studies degrees to 89 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Arizona is $8,987 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Legal Studies at University of Arizona

16
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

With a ranking of #16, Northern Kentucky University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, and it awarded 6 ’s legal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Kentucky University is $4,632 for Legal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Legal Studies at Northern Kentucky University

17
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s legal studies degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

Hamline also made our “Best Legal Studies Schools” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Hamline is $16,522 for Legal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Studies at Hamline

18

University of Maryland Global Campus ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMGC is located in Adelphi, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 87 ’s legal studies degrees to qualified students.

UMGC also made our “Best Legal Studies Schools” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for University of Maryland Global Campus is $15,338 for Legal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Maryland Global Campus Legal Studies Report

19
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. KU is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 15 ’s legal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

KU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Legal Studies Schools” list. It costs about $15,666 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend KU.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Studies at KU

20
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified ’s legal studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,805 for Legal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Central Michigan.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Studies at Central Michigan

21
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. University of Mississippi is a public institution located in University, Mississippi. The school has a large population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ole Miss is $7,764 for legal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Ole Miss Legal Studies Report

22
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WVU is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 27 ’s legal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,014 for Legal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WVU.

Read full report on Legal Studies at West Virginia University

23

Ramapo College of New Jersey landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ramapo College of New Jersey is a public institution located in Mahwah, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,200 for Legal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ramapo College.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Studies at Ramapo College

24

Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, this large public school handed out 38 diplomas to qualified ’s legal studies students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Studies at ASU - Skysong

25

Humphreys University - Stockton and Modesto Campuses came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Studies Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Humphreys University is located in Stockton, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s legal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Humphreys University - Stockton and Modesto Campuses is $10,111 for Legal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Humphreys University - Stockton and Modesto Campuses Legal Studies Report

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