2027 Best Value Legal Research Master’s Degree Schools
[Legal Research](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-research/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 107 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value legal research schools.
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2027 Best Value Legal Research Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal research degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Legal Research Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the legal research program here. Legal Research graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $106,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal research, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the legal research program here. Legal Research 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 California Berkeley came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Legal Research graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $60,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #4 place for legal research. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal research, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Legal Research graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $91,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #6 for value in legal research this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $19,349. Early-career legal research graduates make about $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #7 for value in legal research this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the legal research program here. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $80,899. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for legal research value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the legal research program here. Early-career legal research graduates make about $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Chicago placed #9 among the best values for legal research. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the legal research program here. Early-career legal research graduates make about $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #10 among the best values for legal research. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the legal research program here. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $64,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Early-career legal research graduates make about $53,749. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine placed #12 among the best values for legal research. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the legal research program here. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Georgia ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $21,792. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #14 spot for legal research value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $52,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Wayne State University earned the #15 position for value in legal research this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $26,689. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the legal research program here. Legal Research graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University earned the #17 position for value in legal research this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the legal research program here. Legal Research graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #18 spot for legal research value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Early-career legal research graduates make about $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the legal research program here. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the legal research program here. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #21 spot for legal research value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Early-career legal research graduates make about $55,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in legal research this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the legal research program here. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #23 for value in legal research this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the legal research program here. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $68,505. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
Cleveland State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Early-career legal research graduates make about $49,648. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Houston placed #25 among the best values for legal research. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the legal research program here. Legal Research graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Legal Research Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in legal research:
Other Legal Research Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Legal Research rankings across degree levels:
View All Legal Research Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 107 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 107 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.
