2027 Best Value International Law & Legal Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[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 9 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 Middle Atlantic Region
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
Columbia University In The City Of New York tops our 2027 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $175,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Temple University 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 Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $102,915. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
St Johns University New York is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international law & legal studies, landing the #3 spot this year. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $25,521. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $74,248. That is a strong return on a $25,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,872 in student loans. 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. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hofstra University earned it the #5 place for international law & legal studies. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,660. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete the international law & legal studies program here. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $55,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
George Washington University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value international law & legal studies schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $22,910. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $90,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.
New York University ranked #7 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. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. International Law & Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. International Law & Legal Studies graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Georgetown University placed #8 among the best values for international law & legal studies. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $16,483. Early-career international law & legal studies graduates make about $101,347. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
American University came in at #9 for value in international law & legal studies this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Typical student debt for international law & legal studies graduates is $24,139. Soon after graduation, international law & legal studies degree recipients from American University generally make around $65,919. Set against $24,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.