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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Legal Professions (Income $0-$30k)

147 Ranked Colleges
35,034 Degrees Awarded
$41,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 61,993 people earned their degree in legal professions, making the major the 17th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, legal professions graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,199 and had an average of $58,026 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 35,034 legal professions graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 147 colleges that offered a degree in legal professions. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality legal professions programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the legal professions program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k.

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 147 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 264 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UPenn Legal Professions Report

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 278 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Northwestern University

#3

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 187 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #8 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011.

Read more about Legal Professions at Stanford

#4

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 580 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654.

Read more about Legal Professions at Harvard

#5

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 208 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Chicago

#6

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
#2 in overall quality

Georgetown University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Georgetown is a fairly large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 696 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Georgetown, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Georgetown University

#11 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 337 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full U-M Legal Professions Report

#8

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#13 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 242 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k list, WUSTL has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Washington University in St Louis are $56,562.

Full WUSTL Legal Professions Report

#9

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Vanderbilt is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 182 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Vanderbilt also took the #12 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Vanderbilt Legal Professions Report

#10

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 308 students in 2019-2020.

UF excels when it comes to legal professions quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at UF

#11

Washington and Lee University

Lexington, Virginia

Washington and Lee University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lexington, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 154 students in 2019-2020.

Read more about Legal Professions at Washington and Lee University

#6 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 431 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k list, Columbia has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Columbia University in the City of New York

#13

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#4 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 346 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at UC Berkeley

#14

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 199 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read full report on Legal Professions at UNC Chapel Hill

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 150 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#16

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 203 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read more about Legal Professions at Notre Dame

#17

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#10 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 323 students in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia also took the #10 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Virginia Legal Professions Report

#18

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#18 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 313 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at UCLA

#19

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. William & Mary is a medium-sized school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 179 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at William & Mary are $34,800.

Full William & Mary Legal Professions Report

#16 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 163 students in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294.

Full UW Seattle Legal Professions Report

#21

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#20 in overall quality

Emory University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 280 students in 2019-2020.

Emory also took the #20 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Emory are $44,676, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Emory Legal Professions Report

University of California - Irvine landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 140 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Irvine Legal Professions Report

#23

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida State is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 192 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at Florida State

#24

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 165 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

Read more about Legal Professions at Indiana University - Bloomington

#25

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

With a ranking of #25, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 226 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Michigan State Legal Professions Report

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to The wub.

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