2026 Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the non-professional general legal studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools
Fresno City College tops our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, 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. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #2 place for non-professional general legal studies. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for non-professional general legal studies. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Pasadena City College one of the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in non-professional general legal studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College earned the #6 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College earned the #7 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $13,180. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College landed the #8 spot for non-professional general legal studies value 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, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Jacinto. Students from in state pay about $1,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,728. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $8,770. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Mt San Jacinto Community College District generally make around $37,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles City College placed #10 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Los Angeles City College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $10,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. That is a strong return on a $10,763 median debt.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #11 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. 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. Set against $17,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #12 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Los Angeles College came in at #13 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #14 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. 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, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $17,383 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $39,558. That is a strong return on a $17,383 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #15 for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $13,723 in student loans. 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.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #16 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Students borrow a median of $18,416 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $36,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of La Verne placed #17 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,470. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $30,370. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $49,004. Set against $30,370 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
National University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $30,426. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $69,080. That is a strong return on a $30,426 median debt.
Narrow Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
[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.
