2026 Best Value General Advanced Legal Research/Studies Master’s Degree Schools

[General Advanced Legal Research/Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-research/advanced-legal-research-studies-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 90 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general advanced legal research/studies schools.
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2026 Best Value General Advanced Legal Research/Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general advanced legal research/studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Advanced Legal Research/Studies Schools
Stanford University earned the #1 spot for value among general advanced legal research/studies schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $10,492. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general advanced legal research/studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $80,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general advanced legal research/studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general advanced legal research/studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general advanced legal research/studies schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the general advanced legal research/studies program here. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $64,399. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #6 spot for general advanced legal research/studies value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #7 position for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the general advanced legal research/studies program here. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #8 for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the general advanced legal research/studies program here. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #9 position for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $16,097. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $91,677 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #10 for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $16,481. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $52,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general advanced legal research/studies schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Arizona State University earned the #12 position for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,326. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #13 for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the general advanced legal research/studies program here. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Harvard University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general advanced legal research/studies schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Arizona ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general advanced legal research/studies schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #16 spot for general advanced legal research/studies value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #17 position for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $55,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago earned the #18 position for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #19 among the best values for general advanced legal research/studies. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the general advanced legal research/studies program here. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general advanced legal research/studies schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University landed the #21 spot for general advanced legal research/studies value this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $49,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #22 among the best values for general advanced legal research/studies. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for general advanced legal research/studies graduates is $23,258. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $130,948. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #23 for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $68,505. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #24 position for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the general advanced legal research/studies program here. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $102,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Hamline University came in at #25 for value in general advanced legal research/studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $48,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,530 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Advanced Legal Research/Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general advanced legal research/studies value ranking:
Other General Advanced Legal Research/Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Advanced Legal Research/Studies rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 90 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.