by our College Data Analytics Team
[Legal Professions](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Our analysis ranked Hillsborough Community College the best value for a degree in legal professions in Florida. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $24,018. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $41,694. That is a strong return on a $24,018 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,383 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $43,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #3. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Indian River State College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.
Miami Dade College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $12,950. Legal Professions graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,782 early in their careers. Set against $12,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $106,085. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Edison State College placed #7 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,401 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $14,624 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $52,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palm Beach State College earned the #8 position for value in legal professions this year. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,910. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $46,622. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Seminole State College Of Florida earned the #9 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $25,858. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $44,783. That is a strong return on a $25,858 median debt.
Florida International University landed the #10 spot for legal professions value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $64,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Tallahassee Community College came in at #11 for value in legal professions this year. Tallahassee Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $2,026, compared with $8,062 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,340 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $40,594. That is a strong return on a $16,340 median debt.
The University Of West Florida came in at #12 for value in legal professions this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $36,524 early in their careers. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #13 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,422 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $34,408. That is a strong return on a $21,422 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida State University landed the #14 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $19,500. Legal Professions graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $77,509 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Fe College placed #15 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the suburb of Gainesville, Santa Fe College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,563 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,189. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $17,558. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $45,407. Set against $17,558 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Valencia College earned the #16 position for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $16,002 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $32,210 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,002 median debt.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #17 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $22,777. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $39,824. That is a strong return on a $22,777 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Broward College placed #18 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,830, compared with $8,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,110 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Broward College earn a median of $51,328 early in their careers. Set against $13,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sheridan Technical College earned the #19 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the suburb of Hollywood, Sheridan Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $7,698. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Sheridan Technical College generally make around $29,243. That is a strong return on a $7,698 median debt.
Stetson University landed the #20 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,410. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $25,382 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $63,235. Set against $25,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stetson University admits about 72% of applicants.
Atlantic Technical College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Atlantic Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Coconut Creek. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $9,222 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Atlantic Technical College generally make around $33,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University placed #22 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,725. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $26,824 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $54,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Barry University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,350. Students borrow a median of $31,180 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Barry University earn a median of $51,099 early in their careers. Set against $31,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Barry University admits about 77% of applicants.
Florida National University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in legal professions this year. Florida National University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Hialeah. In-state tuition and fees average $17,368. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $27,884. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Florida National University Main Campus generally make around $45,302. That is a strong return on a $27,884 median debt.
Jacksonville University earned the #25 position for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,150. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $25,619 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Jacksonville University earn a median of $72,608 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,619 median debt. Jacksonville University admits about 57% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for legal professions this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.