[Non-Professional General Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/general-legal-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 94 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for non-professional general legal studies students.
Finding the Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies School for You
The right non-professional general legal studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among non-professional general 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. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general 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.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in non-professional general legal studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #4 place for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $32,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #5 place for non-professional general legal studies. 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 non-professional general legal studies program here. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias placed #6 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $10,288. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College placed #7 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Ventura College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Pasadena City College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $9,191. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College came in at #11 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general 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.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #12 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $10,112. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $36,247. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned the #14 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $17,383. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $39,558. That is a strong return on a $17,383 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #15 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Victor Valley College earned the #16 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Non-Professional General 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.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #17 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $53,344. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #18 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $22,831. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,831 median debt.
Sacramento City College placed #19 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College earned the #20 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida earned the #21 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,422 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $34,408 early in their careers. Set against $21,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $11,653. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #23 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,723 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $43,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District came in at #24 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public institution. 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 non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $37,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $17,383 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $39,558. Set against $17,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in non-professional general legal studies:
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 · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 94 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).
[Non-Professional General Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/general-legal-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
