by our College Data Analytics Team
[Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/general-legal-studies/legal-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value legal studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in legal studies, no school beat Washburn University this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $21,175. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in legal studies will find it at Bellevue University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $37,250. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $44,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in legal studies will find it at Hamline University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $40,059 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in legal studies will find it at Webster University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $25,939. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $57,152. That is a strong return on a $25,939 median debt. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Drake University earned it the #5 place for legal studies. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $56,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.