2027 Best Value Legal Studies Master’s Degree Schools

[Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/general-legal-studies/legal-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value legal studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Legal Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Legal Studies Schools
For return on investment in legal studies, no school beat Northern Kentucky University this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in legal studies will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $41,008 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $52,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Vanderbilt University one of the best values for legal studies. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Arizona State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $19,827 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $42,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,827 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona placed #6 among the best values for legal studies. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #7 position for value in legal studies this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $23,772. Legal Studies graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #8 for value in legal studies this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in legal studies this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Set against $24,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Webster University landed the #10 spot for legal studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $57,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Other Legal Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value legal studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Legal Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.