2027 Best Value Legal Studies Schools
[Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/general-legal-studies/legal-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong legal studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 82 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value legal studies schools.
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Finding the Best Value Legal Studies School for You
The right legal studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Legal Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Legal Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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2027 Best Value Legal Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Legal Studies Schools
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among legal studies schools in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Santa Ana College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #4 place for legal studies. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $32,649. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons earned the #6 position for value in legal studies this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the legal studies program here. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $20,250. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Hartnell College landed the #8 spot for legal studies value this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $6,000. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #9 for value in legal studies this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College earned the #10 position for value in legal studies this year. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Fresno City College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #12 for value in legal studies this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $18,876. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Kentucky University placed #13 among the best values for legal studies. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #14 for value in legal studies this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $17,383. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $39,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,383 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Victor Valley College came in at #15 for value in legal studies this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,425 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $7,995. Legal Studies graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College earned the #16 position for value in legal studies this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $6,952. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $22,831. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. That is a strong return on a $22,831 median debt.
Sacramento City College earned the #18 position for value in legal studies this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $53,344 early in their careers. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #20 spot for legal studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $21,422. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $34,408. That is a strong return on a $21,422 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College placed #21 among the best values for legal studies. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the legal studies program here. Legal Studies graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District came in at #22 for value in legal studies this year. Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Jacinto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,448, with out-of-state students paying around $12,728. Students borrow a median of $8,770 to complete the legal studies program here. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $37,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #23 spot for legal studies value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $13,723 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $43,886. That is a strong return on a $13,723 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #24 spot for legal studies value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the legal studies program here. Legal Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $23,017 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #25 spot for legal studies value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $17,383. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $39,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Legal Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s legal studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 82 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.
