2026 Best Value Law Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value law schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Law Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in law, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Law Schools
Leading the list is Columbia University In The City Of New York, our #1 best value for law in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Law graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $220,843. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rutgers University Newark earned it the #2 place for law. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Typical student debt for law graduates is $25,065. Early-career law graduates make about $54,296. That is a strong return on a $25,065 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in law will find it at Rutgers University Camden, which ranked #3. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,764, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Students borrow a median of $24,577 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $54,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Baltimore came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Law graduates carry a median of $29,681 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $62,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
St Johns University New York is a great value for students pursuing a degree in law, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,529. Law graduates carry a median of $25,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $82,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Seton Hall University came in at #6 for value in law this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Law graduates carry a median of $23,422 in student loans. Early-career law graduates make about $70,710. That is a strong return on a $23,422 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University At Buffalo earned the #7 position for value in law this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Law graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $64,220. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for law graduates is $26,259. Law graduates of Temple University earn a median of $71,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of The District Of Columbia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Law graduates carry a median of $32,304 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $59,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Touro College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,052. Typical student debt for law graduates is $20,285. Law graduates of Touro College earn a median of $61,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #11 among the best values for law. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for law graduates is $16,155. Law graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $157,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #12 for value in law this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for law graduates is $24,958. Law graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $67,318 early in their careers. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Widener University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,730. Students borrow a median of $26,561 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $55,829 early in their careers. Set against $26,561 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Cornell University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $213,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Pace University New York ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,510. Typical student debt for law graduates is $25,670. Law graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $67,469 early in their careers. Set against $25,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 61%.
New York University landed the #17 spot for law value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical student debt for law graduates is $21,897. Early-career law graduates make about $64,516. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Catholic University Of America landed the #18 spot for law value this year. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. Law graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $77,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University placed #19 among the best values for law. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $59,904. Set against $26,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
George Washington University placed #20 among the best values for law. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Law graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Law graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $95,225 early in their careers. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University came in at #21 for value in law this year. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,660. Law graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Law graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $69,677 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,848 median debt. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
Georgetown University landed the #22 spot for law value this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Law graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $168,995. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Drexel University placed #23 among the best values for law. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $60,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Syracuse University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $67,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
American University came in at #25 for value in law this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Typical student debt for law graduates is $24,139. Early-career law graduates make about $73,725. Set against $24,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Law Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s law value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 35 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.
