by our College Data Analytics Team
[Law](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/law/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value law schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in law, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for law in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for law graduates is $20,115. Early-career law graduates make about $62,322. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #2 place for law. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $84,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned it the #3 place for law. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Law graduates carry a median of $23,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $54,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Chicago came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value law schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $199,603. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in law, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for law graduates is $25,209. Early-career law graduates make about $57,561. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for value in law this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for law graduates is $26,774. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $73,249. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University placed #7 among the best values for law. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $210,979 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #8 among the best values for law. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $68,344 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #9 for value in law this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Law graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $83,184. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.