by our College Data Analytics Team
[Legal Professions](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong legal professions education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 66 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value legal professions schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal professions degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in legal professions, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $9,862. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $9,602. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $39,394. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #4 place for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $33,073. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #6 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #7 position for value in legal professions this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College came in at #8 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $14,083 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $42,262. That is a strong return on a $14,083 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #9 position for value in legal professions this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $7,750. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Elgin Community College landed the #11 spot for legal professions value this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $7,727. Legal Professions graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County landed the #12 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $45,094. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
College Of Dupage landed the #13 spot for legal professions value this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $40,429. Set against $21,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College landed the #14 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $38,325. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $16,700. Legal Professions graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #17 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $15,990. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $34,981. Set against $15,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #18 among the best values for legal professions. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $62,322. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #19 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $24,925. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana University South Bend ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $47,733. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Columbus State Community College landed the #21 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the legal professions program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College placed #22 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. That is a strong return on a $13,319 median debt.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #23 for value in legal professions this year. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $14,997 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. Set against $14,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #24 for value in legal professions this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $170,537. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Purdue University Global ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $36,418 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $41,522. Set against $36,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s legal professions value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.