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2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate

164 Ranked Colleges
34,750 Degrees Awarded
$17,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Law is the 21st most popular major in the country with 34,750 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 34,750 law graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate” ranking looked at 164 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in law. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great law programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the law program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Law

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate. Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 319 doctorate’s law degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU-Cooley Law School are $11,440, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School Law Report

#2

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Drake University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate. This small school is located in Des Moines, Iowa, and it awarded 95 doctorate’s law degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Drake University are $11,932, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Law at Drake University

#3

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

San Diego, California

Out of the 164 schools in the Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, Thomas Jefferson School of Law landed the #3 spot on the list. Thomas Jefferson School of Law is a small school located in San Diego, California that handed out 108 doctorate’s law degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Thomas Jefferson School of Law are $1,620, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Law at Thomas Jefferson School of Law

#4

Seattle University

Seattle, Washington

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Seattle University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 185 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s law students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Seattle U are $14,040, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Law at Seattle U

#5

Lewis & Clark College

Portland, Oregon

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lewis & Clark College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate list. Lewis & Clark College is a small school located in Portland, Oregon that handed out 170 doctorate’s law degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Lewis and Clark College are $17,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Lewis and Clark College Law Report

#6

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California
Top 20% in overall quality

Loyola Marymount University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 332 degrees to qualified doctorate’s law students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Marymount excels when it comes to law quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount University are $19,756, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Loyola Marymount Law Report

Top 15% in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school awarded 326 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s law students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UT Austin is also in the top of our “Best Law Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Law at The University of Texas at Austin

#8

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana

Purdue University Global came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Purdue University Global is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 26 doctorate’s law degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University Global are $10,674, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Law at Purdue University Global

#9

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Villanova University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate list. Villanova University is a fairly large school located in Villanova, Pennsylvania that handed out 169 doctorate’s law degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, Villanova is in the top on our “Best Law Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Villanova University are $20,719.

Full Villanova Law Report

#10

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #10. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s law degrees to 96 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Creighton University are $18,528.

Read more about Law at Creighton

#11

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate ranking. UH is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 254 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Law at UH

#12

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 232 doctorate’s law degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Loyola University Chicago Law Report

#14

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Temple University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate list. Temple is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 210 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Temple did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Law Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Temple are $24,236.

Read more about Law at Temple

#15

Elon University

Elon, North Carolina

With a ranking of #15, Elon University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate list. Elon is a medium-sized school located in Elon, North Carolina that handed out 108 doctorate’s law degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Elon University are $18,432, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Law at Elon

#16

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#10 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #16. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s law degrees to 315 students in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia also made our “Best Law Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia are $32,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Law at University of Virginia

#17

Mississippi College

Clinton, Mississippi

With a ranking of #17, Mississippi College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate list. Located in Clinton, Mississippi, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 111 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s law students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at MC are $12,322, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Law at MC

#18

St. Mary's University

San Antonio, Texas

St. Mary’s University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate list. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s law degrees to 233 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Mary’s University are $19,320, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Law at St. Mary’s University

#19

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 58 degrees to qualified doctorate’s law students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Liberty University are $8,349, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Law at Liberty University

#20

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington

Gonzaga University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Spokane, Washington, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 102 degrees to qualified doctorate’s law students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Gonzaga University are $17,675.

Read more about Law at Gonzaga University

#21

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, Indiana

Valparaiso University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Valparaiso, Indiana, and it awarded 21 doctorate’s law degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Valparaiso University are $12,220, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Law at Valparaiso University

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 147 doctorate’s law degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Law Report

#23

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California
Top 20% in overall quality

Santa Clara University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Santa Clara, California, and it awarded 207 doctorate’s law degrees in 2019-2020.

SCU excels when it comes to law quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Law Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Santa Clara University are $23,507, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Law at SCU

With a ranking of #24, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 120 doctorate’s law degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska - Lincoln are $19,513, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNL Law Report

#25

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, Connecticut

Quinnipiac University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Law Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Quinnipiac University is located in Hamden, Connecticut and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 128 doctorate’s law degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Quinnipiac University are $20,090, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Law at Quinnipiac

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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