2027 Best Value Law Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Law](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/law/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for law students.
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2027 Best Value Law Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the law degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Law Schools
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 best value for law in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Law graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $77,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in law, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Law graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,766 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Washburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in law, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Law graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Law graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $60,606 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values for law. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for law graduates is $22,386. Law graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $66,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Kansas came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value law schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Law graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $70,180. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value law schools. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Law graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $61,451. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #7 spot for law value this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Law graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Law graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $87,690 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Dakota came in at #8 for value in law this year. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for law graduates is $26,322. Law graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $51,566 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,322 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #9 spot for law value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Law graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $59,716 early in their careers. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #10 for value in law this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Law graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Early-career law graduates make about $78,560. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #11 for value in law this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $71,391. Set against $26,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Drake University came in at #12 for value in law this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Typical student debt for law graduates is $22,273. Early-career law graduates make about $72,226. That is a strong return on a $22,273 median debt. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #13 position for value in law this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Law graduates carry a median of $23,923 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Creighton University came in at #14 for value in law this year. Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $65,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
