2027 Best Value Legal Research Schools in the The Plains States 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 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for legal research students.
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2027 Best Value Legal Research Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal research, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Legal Research Schools
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for value among legal research schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $21,577. Early-career legal research graduates make about $56,395. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in legal research will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the legal research program here. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $24,408. Legal Research graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete the legal research program here. Early-career legal research graduates make about $46,572. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the best values for legal research. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the legal research program here. Legal Research graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Hamline University placed #6 among the best values for legal research. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans. Legal Research graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $48,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,530 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #7 spot for legal research value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the legal research program here. Legal Research graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $59,808 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value legal research schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the legal research program here. Legal Research graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $114,376 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,923 median debt. Roughly 85% 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
