by our College Data Analytics Team
[Legal Professions](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for legal professions students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among legal professions schools in Indiana. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $15,990 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $34,981. That is a strong return on a $15,990 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University South Bend earned it the #2 place for legal professions. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $47,733. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Global earned it the #3 place for legal professions. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $36,418 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $41,522. Set against $36,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $21,963 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $63,723. Set against $21,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Ball State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $39,220. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #6 among the best values for legal professions. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $75,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,896. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $36,380. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $45,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana Institute Of Technology ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Indiana Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,361. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $36,380 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Indiana Institute Of Technology generally make around $56,185. Set against $36,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame placed #9 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $103,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
College Of Court Reporting Inc came in at #10 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, College Of Court Reporting Inc is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,080. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,927.
This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.