2027 Best Value International Law & Legal Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[International Law & Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-research/international-law-and-legal-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for international law & legal studies students.
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2027 Best Value International Law & Legal Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international law & legal studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value International Law & Legal Studies Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international law & legal studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $16,481. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned it the #3 place for international law & legal studies. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #4 place for international law & legal studies. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $130,948. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Stetson University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Located in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,410 in tuition and fees. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $25,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from Stetson University generally make around $38,839. Set against $25,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
St Marys University came in at #7 for value in international law & legal studies this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,434. Students borrow a median of $25,040 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $42,786. Set against $25,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The University Of Alabama placed #8 among the best values for international law & legal studies. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of The Pacific placed #9 among the best values for international law & legal studies. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $23,514. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $73,893. That is a strong return on a $23,514 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Golden Gate University San Francisco placed #10 among the best values for international law & legal studies. Set in the city of San Francisco, Golden Gate University San Francisco is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,343 in tuition and fees. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $33,968 in student loans. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $88,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Temple University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $102,915. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University placed #12 among the best values for international law & legal studies. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $13,296. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $83,388. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of San Diego ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $68,281. Set against $23,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University landed the #14 spot for international law & legal studies value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $27,414. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $48,834 early in their careers. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
St Johns University New York placed #15 among the best values for international law & legal studies. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $25,521. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $74,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
Depaul University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $25,340. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #17 spot for international law & legal studies value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,872 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $64,062. That is a strong return on a $24,872 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #18 for value in international law & legal studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $23,521. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $98,283 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
Hofstra University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. Students from in state pay about $57,660 in tuition and fees. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $55,705. That is a strong return on a $24,848 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
George Washington University landed the #20 spot for international law & legal studies value this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $90,624. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
New York University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $21,897. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Miami landed the #22 spot for international law & legal studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $75,849. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Tulane University Of Louisiana earned the #23 position for value in international law & legal studies this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,678. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $53,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University landed the #24 spot for international law & legal studies value this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $130,394. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Case Western Reserve University earned the #25 position for value in international law & legal studies this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value International Law & Legal Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in international law & legal studies:
Other International Law & Legal Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value International Law & Legal Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All International Law & Legal Studies Rankings >
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
