2027 Best Value Legal Studies Bachelor’s Degree 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 50 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value legal studies schools.
What’s on this page:
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
For return on investment in legal studies, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the legal studies program here. Legal Studies graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $32,649 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $17,383 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $39,558 early in their careers. Set against $17,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in legal studies will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Students looking for strong value in legal studies will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,723 to complete the legal studies program here. Legal Studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $43,886 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #6 position for value in legal studies this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $23,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #7 spot for legal studies value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $17,383 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $39,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,383 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #8 position for value in legal studies this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System came in at #9 for value in legal studies this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $41,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $46,109. Set against $41,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morehead State University placed #10 among the best values for legal studies. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $26,230 to complete the legal studies program here. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $28,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Superior placed #11 among the best values for legal studies. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. In-state tuition and fees average $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $45,219 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #12 spot for legal studies value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Northeastern State University earned the #13 position for value in legal studies this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $23,465. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Arizona State University came in at #14 for value in legal studies this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,386 to complete the legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $42,228. That is a strong return on a $24,386 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #15 spot for legal studies value this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $25,750. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $38,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Baltimore placed #16 among the best values for legal studies. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $29,681 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $56,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Washburn University came in at #17 for value in legal studies this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $21,175. Legal Studies graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,980 to complete the legal studies program here. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $41,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Mercy College came in at #19 for value in legal studies this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $29,250. Legal Studies graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $38,579 early in their careers. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #20 spot for legal studies value this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $18,416 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $36,941. Set against $18,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey landed the #21 spot for legal studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,014 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $48,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Bellevue University placed #22 among the best values for legal studies. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $37,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $44,839. That is a strong return on a $37,250 median debt.
University Of Central Oklahoma placed #23 among the best values for legal studies. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Students borrow a median of $23,321 to complete the legal studies program here. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,321 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #24 for value in legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,644 to complete the legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $30,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #25 position for value in legal studies this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $24,753. Legal Studies graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. Set against $24,753 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Legal Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for legal studies this year:
Other Legal Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Legal Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Legal Studies Rankings >
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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
