2027 Best Value General Advanced Legal Research/Studies Schools in District of Columbia

[General Advanced Legal Research/Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-research/advanced-legal-research-studies-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general advanced legal research/studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general advanced legal research/studies students.
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2027 Best Value General Advanced Legal Research/Studies Schools in District of Columbia
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
George Washington University tops our 2027 list of the best value general advanced legal research/studies schools in District of Columbia. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $90,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Georgetown University one of the best values for general advanced legal research/studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the general advanced legal research/studies program here. Early-career general advanced legal research/studies graduates make about $101,347. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American University earned it the #3 place for general advanced legal research/studies. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. General Advanced Legal Research/studies graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general advanced legal research/studies degree recipients from American University generally make around $65,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.