by our College Data Analytics Team
[Law](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/law/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong law education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for law students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the law degrees they offer, see the list below.
Widener University Main Campus tops our 2027 list of the best value law schools in Pennsylvania. Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $55,730. Typical student debt for law graduates is $26,561. Early-career law graduates make about $55,829. Set against $26,561 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Widener University Main Campus admits about 71% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Temple University one of the best values for law. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Law graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Early-career law graduates make about $71,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value law schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $157,243. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the best values for law. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $67,318 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for law. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Law graduates carry a median of $25,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $61,753. That is a strong return on a $25,266 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value law schools. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $48,986. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $59,904. Set against $26,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Drexel University came in at #7 for value in law this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Law graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Law graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $60,051 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Villanova University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value law schools. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,184 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $74,646. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.