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2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate

149 Ranked Colleges
35,034 Degrees Awarded
$17,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Legal Professions is the 17th most popular major in the country with 61,993 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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” ranking looked at 149 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in legal professions. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent legal professions programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the legal professions program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree legal professions students.

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate. This small school is located in Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 319 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 Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School are $11,440.

Read more about Legal Professions at Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School

#2

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa

Out of the 149 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, Drake University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Des Moines, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 95 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Drake University are $11,932, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at Drake University

#3

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

San Diego, California

Out of the 149 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, Thomas Jefferson School of Law landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 108 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Thomas Jefferson School of Law are $1,620, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Thomas Jefferson School of Law Legal Professions Report

#3

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University Global. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate. Purdue University Global is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University Global are $10,674, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Purdue University Global

#4

Seattle University

Seattle, Washington

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Seattle University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate. Seattle U is a medium-sized school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 185 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 Seattle U are $14,040.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Seattle University

#5

Lewis & Clark College

Portland, Oregon

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lewis & Clark College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate. Portland, Oregon is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 170 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Lewis and Clark College are $17,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at Lewis and Clark College

#6

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California
Top 20% in overall quality

Loyola Marymount University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate list. Loyola Marymount is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 332 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Loyola Marymount also did well on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount University are $19,756.

Full Loyola Marymount Legal Professions Report

Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate list. The University of Texas at Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 326 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin 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 The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at UT Austin

#8

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania
Top 25% in overall quality

Villanova University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate list. Located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 169 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 Villanova University are $20,719.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Villanova

#9

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 96 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Creighton are $18,528, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Creighton University

#10

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate list. This medium-sized school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, and it awarded 51 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at USD are $12,637, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of South Dakota

#10

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate ranking. UH is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 254 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Houston

#11

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Loyola Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 232 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at Loyola University Chicago

#12

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Temple University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate list. Temple University is a large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 210 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Temple also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at Temple University are $24,236, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Temple

#13

Elon University

Elon, North Carolina

Elon University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Elon University is a medium-sized school located in Elon, North Carolina that handed out 108 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Elon University are $18,432, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Elon Legal Professions Report

#14

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#10 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of Virginia is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 323 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Virginia, the school also landed the #10 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 Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394.

Full University of Virginia Legal Professions Report

#15

Mississippi College

Clinton, Mississippi

With a ranking of #15, Mississippi College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate list. MC is located in Clinton, Mississippi and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 111 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at MC are $12,322, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at MC

#16

St. Mary's University

San Antonio, Texas

St. Mary’s University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate list. St. Mary’s University is a small school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 233 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Mary’s University are $19,320, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at St. Mary’s University

#17

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington

With a ranking of #17, Gonzaga University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate list. This medium-sized school is located in Spokane, Washington, and it awarded 102 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 Gonzaga University are $17,675.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Gonzaga University

With a ranking of #18, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate list. UNL is a large public school situated in Lincoln, Nebraska. It awarded 128 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska - Lincoln are $19,513, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #19. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 150 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 University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#19

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #19. UND is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 67 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UND are $18,326, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Dakota Legal Professions Report

#20

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Santa Clara University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate list. Located in Santa Clara, California, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 207 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, SCU also did well on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Santa Clara University are $23,507, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Santa Clara University

#21

Golden Gate University - San Francisco

San Francisco, California

Golden Gate University - San Francisco landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate ranking. This small school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 136 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Golden Gate University - San Francisco are $19,705, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Golden Gate University - San Francisco Legal Professions Report

#22

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, Connecticut

With a ranking of #22, Quinnipiac University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate list. Hamden, Connecticut is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 128 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Quinnipiac University are $20,090, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Quinnipiac University Legal Professions Report

#23

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, Indiana

Valparaiso University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Valparaiso, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Valpo are $12,220, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Valpo

#23

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas

Texas A&M University - College Station ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate list. Texas A&M College Station is a large public school situated in College Station, Texas. It awarded 131 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at Texas A&M University - College Station

#24

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marquette University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #24. Marquette University is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 175 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette are $21,690, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at Marquette University

#25

Touro College

New York, New York

Touro College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Touro is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 131 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Touro are $13,138, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Touro College

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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