2026 Best Value Law Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in law, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Law Schools
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best value for a degree in law in California. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for law graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $162,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for law. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Law graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $155,825 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for law. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for law graduates is $16,539. Law graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $93,534 early in their careers. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for law. 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. Law graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $196,724 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.
Students looking for strong value in law will find it at University Of California Davis, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $85,816 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Pacific placed #6 among the best values for law. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. In-state tuition and fees average $57,080. Students borrow a median of $23,514 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $75,832. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Pacific admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of San Diego ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $84,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California earned the #8 position for value in law this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Law graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $183,063. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Westcliff University placed #9 among the best values for law. Located in the city of Irvine, Westcliff University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,670. Law graduates of Westcliff University earn a median of $58,618 early in their careers. Westcliff University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of La Verne placed #10 among the best values for law. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,470. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $35,364. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of La Verne admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of San Francisco placed #11 among the best values for law. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. Typical student debt for law graduates is $23,935. Early-career law graduates make about $64,326. That is a strong return on a $23,935 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Pepperdine University landed the #12 spot for law value this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,918 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for law graduates is $23,645. Law graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $79,243 early in their careers. Set against $23,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola Marymount University placed #13 among the best values for law. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,867. Typical student debt for law graduates is $22,248. Early-career law graduates make about $84,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants.
Chapman University placed #14 among the best values for law. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,984. Typical student debt for law graduates is $21,657. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $74,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Clara University earned the #15 position for value in law this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
[Law](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/law/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
