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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for legal professions students.
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 North Hennepin Community College this year. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Students borrow a median of $18,625 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $48,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Inver Hills Community College one of the best values for legal professions. Set in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $49,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $77,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Lake Superior College, which ranked #4. Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $17,156. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $42,543. Set against $17,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Winona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #5 spot this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $53,109 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,551 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #6 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $24,624 in student loans. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $46,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Rasmussen College Minnesota earned the #7 position for value in legal professions this year. Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit school located in the city of St. Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $28,336 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $37,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hamline University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $24,050. Legal Professions graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $40,270 early in their careers. Set against $24,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hamline University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value legal professions schools. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $113,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.