2026 Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice tops our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $32,649. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Tacoma, WA

Students looking for strong value in non-professional general legal studies will find it at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus, which ranked #2. 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, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $17,383 in student loans. Non-Professional General 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. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

3

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Kentucky University earned it the #3 place for non-professional general legal studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $25,572. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in non-professional general legal studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $53,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

5

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

Students looking for strong value in non-professional general legal studies will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $21,422. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $34,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,422 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

6

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #6 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $17,383 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $39,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

7

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University earned the #7 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

8

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #8 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $23,017 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

9

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System came in at #9 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. 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. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $41,008. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $46,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #10 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $24,386. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $42,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

11

Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.

12

Morehead State University
Morehead, KY

Morehead State University landed the #12 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $26,230 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $28,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.

13

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,723 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Non-Professional General 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. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

14

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $25,750. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $38,387. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #15 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $45,767. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

16

University Of Wisconsin Superior
Superior, WI

University Of Wisconsin Superior earned the #16 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $27,845. Non-Professional General 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%.

17

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College landed the #17 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Students borrow a median of $31,017 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $54,304. Set against $31,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #18 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $20,980 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $41,144. That is a strong return on a $20,980 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

19

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $18,416 in student loans. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $36,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

20

Lander University
Greenwood, SC

Lander University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $26,064 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $37,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.

21

Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce
Ponce, PR

Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce came in at #21 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of Ponce, Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,650 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $18,132. That is a strong return on a $17,124 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

22

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University earned the #22 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of The District Of Columbia
Washington, DC

University Of The District Of Columbia placed #23 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $40,750. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $43,778. That is a strong return on a $40,750 median debt.

24

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College placed #24 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $29,250 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $38,579. That is a strong return on a $29,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

University Of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

University Of Baltimore ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $29,681 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $56,837. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.