2026 Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for non-professional general legal studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools in the Southwest 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
Central New Mexico Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #2 place for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $23,017. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in non-professional general legal studies will find it at Northeastern State University, which ranked #3. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $23,465. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $49,353. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in non-professional general legal studies will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $19,827 in student loans. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $42,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in non-professional general legal studies will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #6 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $47,456. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Tarleton State University placed #7 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $50,532. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
National Paralegal College placed #8 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. National Paralegal College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $7,995. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $53,118. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of National Paralegal College earn a median of $35,764 early in their careers. Set against $53,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #9 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $20,031. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $64,891. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
