2026 Best Value Law Schools in Ohio
[Law](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/law/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for law students.
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2026 Best Value Law Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in law, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Law Schools
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among law schools in Ohio. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $57,386. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cleveland State University one of the best values for law. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for law graduates is $26,336. Early-career law graduates make about $64,805. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #3 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the best values for law. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Law graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Law graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $77,868 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Toledo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in law, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Law graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $57,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Cincinnati Main Campus one of the best values for law. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for law graduates is $23,530. Law graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $60,967 early in their careers. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Capital University earned the #6 position for value in law this year. Set in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,234. Typical student debt for law graduates is $28,269. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $62,010. Set against $28,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
Ohio Northern University earned the #7 position for value in law this year. Set in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,600. Law graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans. Law graduates of Ohio Northern University earn a median of $55,402 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Dayton earned the #8 position for value in law this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Typical student debt for law graduates is $25,033. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $56,077. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #9 for value in law this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $70,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
