2027 Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Non-Professional General Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/general-legal-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 56 schools to find the best return on investment for non-professional general legal studies students.
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2027 Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in non-professional general legal studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among non-professional general legal studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Northern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in non-professional general legal studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $25,572. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. 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. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in non-professional general legal studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $21,422. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $34,408. That is a strong return on a $21,422 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #5 place for non-professional general legal studies. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 11%.
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. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $17,383. Non-Professional General 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. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Wayne State University landed the #7 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $55,469. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #8 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $23,017. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
American Public University System placed #9 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $41,008. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $46,109. That is a strong return on a $41,008 median debt.
Morehead State University landed the #10 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $26,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $28,504. Set against $26,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #11 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Students borrow a median of $27,845 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $45,219. Set against $27,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Superior admits about 93% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #12 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Northeastern State University came in at #13 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. 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. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $49,353. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #14 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $24,386 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $42,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,386 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #16 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $38,387 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Baltimore ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $56,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Washburn University earned the #18 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #19 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $20,980. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $41,144 early in their careers. Set against $20,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Mercy College came in at #20 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $38,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #21 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $18,416. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $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 came in at #22 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. Students from in state pay about $16,777 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,014 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $48,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Bellevue University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. In-state tuition and fees average $12,873. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $37,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $44,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Oklahoma placed #24 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Michigan State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,753 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $33,752. That is a strong return on a $24,753 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s non-professional general legal studies value ranking:
Other Non-Professional General Legal Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Non-Professional General Legal Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Non-Professional General Legal Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
