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.
College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value legal professions schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for legal professions in Texas. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $17,294. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $33,381. That is a strong return on a $17,294 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #2 spot this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $38,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Del Mar College earned it the #4 place for legal professions. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $7,476. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
South Texas College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $11,839. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District earned the #8 position for value in legal professions this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $19,242 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $46,216. That is a strong return on a $19,242 median debt.
Amarillo College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt.
Lee College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College placed #12 among the best values for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $8,600. Legal Professions graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #13 among the best values for legal professions. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Odessa College placed #14 among the best values for legal professions. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College came in at #15 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $13,788. Legal Professions graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Collin County Community College District earned the #16 position for value in legal professions this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $9,716. Legal Professions graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Angelina College came in at #17 for value in legal professions this year. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. Students from in state pay about $3,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,490. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $7,828. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Angelina College generally make around $50,767. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
Central Texas College landed the #18 spot for legal professions value this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $53,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College placed #19 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $23,017. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Lone Star College System placed #21 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $17,251 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $36,678 early in their careers. Set against $17,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blinn College came in at #22 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $16,465. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #23 spot for legal professions value this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $24,375 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $54,201. Set against $24,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Houston came in at #24 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $88,163. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
San Jacinto Community College placed #25 among the best values for legal professions. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. Set against $11,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for legal professions this year:
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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.