2026 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in Kentucky

[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.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value legal professions schools.
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2026 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Legal Professions Schools
Leading the list is Madisonville Community College, our #1 best value for legal professions in Kentucky. Located in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $10,985. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Madisonville Community College generally make around $41,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Kentucky University earned it the #2 place for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $47,291 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Kentucky University earned it the #3 place for legal professions. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #4 spot this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $26,230 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $28,504 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,230 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at University Of Kentucky, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $53,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Louisville came in at #6 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $21,910. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $56,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
More Legal Professions Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.