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2023 Best Value Colleges for Legal Professions (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

75 Ranked Colleges
13,591 Degrees Awarded
$5,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region 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. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 61,055 people earned their degree in legal professions, making the major the 16th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, legal professions graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $47,649 and had an average of $28,699 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 13,591 legal professions graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,704 and $29,689 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 75 colleges that offer a degree in legal professions. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great legal professions programs and cost less that 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The legal professions school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

1
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 75 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 230 diplomas to qualified ’s legal professions students in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $3,176 for southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Vanderbilt Legal Professions Report

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 75 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #2 spot on the list. UF is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 358 ’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

UF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $65 for Southeast Region Legal Professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full University of Florida Legal Professions Report

3
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

Out of the 75 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Virginia is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 326 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $12,476 for southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Virginia.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Virginia

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington and Lee University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Lexington, Virginia, and it awarded 118 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

Washington and Lee not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Washington and Lee University is $205 for southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Professions at Washington and Lee University

5
Palm Beach State College crest
Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Palm Beach State College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lake Worth, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s legal professions degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

Palm Beach State College also took the #19 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Palm Beach State College is $8,452 for southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Palm Beach State College

6
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

With a ranking of #6, Wake Forest University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 240 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

Wake Forest University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $10,401 for Southeast Region Legal Professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Legal Professions at Wake Forest University

7

With a ranking of #7, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s legal professions degrees to 207 students in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $3,753 for southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Legal Professions Report

7

Hillsborough Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Tampa, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 55 diplomas to qualified ’s legal professions students in 2020-2021.

HCC also made our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend HCC is $2,919 for Southeast Region Legal Professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Legal Professions at HCC

9
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Williamsburg, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s legal professions degrees to 217 students in 2020-2021.

William & Mary also took the #12 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $5,972 for southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Professions at William & Mary

10
SPC crest
St Petersburg College
Clearwater, Florida

St Petersburg College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Clearwater, Florida, and it awarded 64 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SPC is $676 for southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Legal Professions at SPC

11
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Indian River State College is a public institution located in Fort Pierce, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,686 for Southeast Region Legal Professions students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indian River State College.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Indian River State College

12
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida

Valencia College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Valencia College is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Valencia College, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,942 for Southeast Region Legal Professions students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Valencia College.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Valencia College

13

University of Central Florida came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCF is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 264 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

UCF also took the #10 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCF is $4,468 for Southeast Region Legal Professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Central Florida

14
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school handed out 347 degrees to qualified ’s legal professions students in 2020-2021.

Florida State also made our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $4,950 for southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Florida State Legal Professions Report

15
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Emory University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Emory is a fairly large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 354 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

Emory did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,538 for Southeast Region Legal Professions students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Emory.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Professions at Emory

16
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, and it awarded 182 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at American Military University, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend American Public University System is $9,660 for Southeast Region Legal Professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%.

Read full report on Legal Professions at American Public University System

17
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UGA is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 423 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Georgia is $8,303 for Southeast Region Legal Professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UGA Legal Professions Report

18
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

Central Piedmont Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 56 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Central Piedmont Community College is $5,676 for Southeast Region Legal Professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Central Piedmont Community College

19
MDC crest
Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida

Miami Dade College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MDC is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 61 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Miami Dade College is $4,482 for southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full MDC Legal Professions Report

20

Seminole State College of Florida came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Seminole State is located in Sanford, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Seminole State, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Seminole State College of Florida is $7,064 for southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Seminole State College of Florida

21
Reynolds Community College crest
Reynolds Community College
Richmond, Virginia

Reynolds Community College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Reynolds Community College is located in Richmond, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $4,746 for southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Reynolds Community College.

Full Reynolds Community College Legal Professions Report

22

Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 175 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $3,196 for Southeast Region Legal Professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Professions at FIU

23

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FGCU is located in Fort Myers, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k list, FGCU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $6,762 for southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida Gulf Coast University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Professions at FGCU

24

With a ranking of #24, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it awarded 124 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Knoxville has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,433 for southeast region legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Knoxville.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Professions at UT Knoxville

25
URichmond crest
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, Virginia

With a ranking of #25, University of Richmond did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution located in University of Richmond, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 159 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at URichmond, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $8,010 for Southeast Region Legal Professions students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend URichmond.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Legal Professions at URichmond

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