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2027 Best Value Legal Research Schools in the Southwest Region

9 Colleges in the United States
$22,120 Avg Student Debt
$66,274 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Legal Research Badge [Legal Research](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-research/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong legal research education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value legal research schools.

What’s on this page:

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal research degrees they offer, see the list below.

1

Arizona State University earned the #1 spot for value among legal research schools in the Southwest Region. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,326. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

2

University Of Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal research, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $21,255. Early-career legal research graduates make about $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

3

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal research, landing the #3 spot 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, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for legal research. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $21,861. Legal Research graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

5

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the legal research program here. Early-career legal research graduates make about $57,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

6
St Marys University crest
St Marys University
San Antonio, TX

St Marys University landed the #6 spot for legal research value this year. St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,434. Students borrow a median of $25,040 to complete the legal research program here. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from St Marys University generally make around $42,786. That is a strong return on a $25,040 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

7

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #7 position for value in legal research this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $20,031. Legal Research graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $102,721 early in their careers. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

8

Southern Methodist University placed #8 among the best values for legal research. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $20,712. Early-career legal research graduates make about $78,515. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

9

Baylor University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete the legal research program here. Early-career legal research graduates make about $49,888. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.

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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 · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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