2027 Best Value Law Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for law students.
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2027 Best Value Law Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in law, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Law Schools
University Of Houston earned the #1 spot for value among law schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $88,163. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for law. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $72,119. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Texas At Dallas earned it the #3 place for law. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in law will find it at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Law graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $63,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Tulsa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in law, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,546. Students borrow a median of $23,638 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of University Of Tulsa earn a median of $60,334 early in their careers. Set against $23,638 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #6 spot for law value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $63,375. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Arizona ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value law schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Law graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career law graduates make about $61,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #8 for value in law this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Law graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Law graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $103,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas Southern University earned the #9 position for value in law this year. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Law graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. Law graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $41,890 early in their careers. Set against $35,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Southern University admits about 97% of applicants.
Texas Tech University placed #10 among the best values for law. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $72,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys University earned the #11 position for value in law this year. St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $37,434 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,040 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from St Marys University generally make around $53,677. That is a strong return on a $25,040 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #12 among the best values for law. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $75,674 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma City University earned the #13 position for value in law this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,754. Typical student debt for law graduates is $27,248. Early-career law graduates make about $53,246. That is a strong return on a $27,248 median debt. Oklahoma City University admits about 77% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University earned the #14 position for value in law this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Typical student debt for law graduates is $20,712. Early-career law graduates make about $101,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University earned the #15 position for value in law this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for law graduates is $23,928. Early-career law graduates make about $85,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
