by our College Data Analytics Team
[Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/general-legal-studies/legal-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value legal studies schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in legal studies in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very 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 $17,075. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for legal studies. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Santa Ana College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in legal studies will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $9,776. Legal Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Hartnell College placed #6 among the best values for legal studies. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #7 position for value in legal studies this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $9,191. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #8 among the best values for legal studies. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the legal studies program here. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College ranked #9 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College came in at #10 for value in legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College came in at #11 for value in legal studies this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #12 position for value in legal studies this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $22,831 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $22,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $11,653. Legal Studies graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District came in at #14 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. Students from in state pay about $1,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,728. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $8,770. Legal Studies graduates of Mt San Jacinto Community College District earn a median of $37,488 early in their careers. Set against $8,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Los Angeles College placed #15 among the best values for legal studies. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $8,180. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $33,595. That is a strong return on a $8,180 median debt.
Bakersfield College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of Bakersfield College earn a median of $86,312 early in their careers. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Post University landed the #17 spot for legal studies value this year. Post University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Waterbury. Students from in state pay about $15,922 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $32,142. Legal Studies graduates of Post University earn a median of $39,838 early in their careers. Set against $32,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida National University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in legal studies this year. Located in the suburb of Hialeah, Florida National University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,368. Students borrow a median of $27,884 to complete the legal studies program here. Legal Studies graduates of Florida National University Main Campus earn a median of $45,302 early in their careers. Set against $27,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Legal Studies rankings across degree levels:
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.