2027 Best Value Legal Research Schools in the Southeast Region
[Legal Research](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-research/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong legal research education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for legal research students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Legal Research Schools in the Southeast Region
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 earned the #1 spot for value among legal research schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal research, landing the #2 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the legal research program here. Early-career legal research graduates make about $52,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal research, landing the #3 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the legal research program here. Legal Research graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $77,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal research, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #5 place for legal research. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal research 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 North Georgia landed the #6 spot for legal research value this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $21,439. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University landed the #7 spot for legal research value this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary landed the #8 spot for legal research value this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. Early-career legal research graduates make about $53,338. That is a strong return on a $18,935 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #9 position for value in legal research this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $21,348. Legal Research graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $49,718 early in their careers. Set against $21,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Georgia State University landed the #10 spot for legal research value this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Early-career legal research graduates make about $51,103. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Stetson University placed #11 among the best values for legal research. Located in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,410. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $25,382. Early-career legal research graduates make about $38,839. Set against $25,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #12 for value in legal research this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Legal Research graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Emory University landed the #13 spot for legal research value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $19,431. Early-career legal research graduates make about $68,090. That is a strong return on a $19,431 median debt. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama earned the #14 position for value in legal research this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the legal research program here. Early-career legal research graduates make about $86,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
James Madison University earned the #15 position for value in legal research this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career legal research graduates make about $40,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Loyola University New Orleans landed the #16 spot for legal research value this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,440. Students borrow a median of $26,606 to complete the legal research program here. Legal Research graduates of Loyola University New Orleans earn a median of $48,040 early in their careers. Set against $26,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Thomas University earned the #17 position for value in legal research this year. Set in the suburb of Miami Gardens, Saint Thomas University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,770. Students borrow a median of $24,955 to complete the legal research program here. Legal Research graduates of Saint Thomas University earn a median of $55,292 early in their careers. Set against $24,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Thomas University admits about 98% of applicants.
Wake Forest University landed the #18 spot for legal research value this year. Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $21,577. Legal Research graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Duke University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the legal research program here. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $213,539. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Liberty University earned the #20 position for value in legal research this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $27,414. Early-career legal research graduates make about $48,834. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Nova Southeastern University landed the #21 spot for legal research value this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Legal Research graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $78,762 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Samford University placed #22 among the best values for legal research. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,150. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $21,039. Legal Research graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. Set against $21,039 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Samford University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Miami ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $75,849. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Tulane University Of Louisiana earned the #24 position for value in legal research this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $22,077. Early-career legal research graduates make about $53,507. That is a strong return on a $22,077 median debt. Tulane University Of Louisiana admits about 14% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
