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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Legal Professions (Income $0-$30k)

122 Ranked Colleges
10,164 Degrees Awarded
$42,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 61,993 people earned their degree in legal professions, making the major the 17th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, legal professions graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,199 and had an average of $58,026 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 10,164 legal professions graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 122 colleges that offered a degree in legal professions. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great legal professions programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the legal professions program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k.

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 122 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. UPenn is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 154 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at UPenn

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 82 masters’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Stanford University

#3

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 82 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548.

Full University of Chicago Legal Professions Report

#4

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 122 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #4 spot on the list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s legal professions degrees to 183 students in 2019-2020.

Harvard did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Harvard University Legal Professions Report

#5

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 122 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Georgetown University landed the #5 spot on the list. Washington, District of Columbia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s legal professions degrees to 663 students in 2019-2020.

Georgetown did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Georgetown University

#6

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

Northwestern University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 366 degrees to qualified masters’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwestern has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Northwestern University

#7

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#16 in overall quality

University of Florida came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 107 diplomas to qualified masters’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

UF also made our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Florida

#8

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Washington University in St Louis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 306 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at WUSTL

#14 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 40 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Read more about Legal Professions at U-M

#10

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#15 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 66 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vanderbilt, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Vanderbilt Legal Professions Report

#5 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 306 diplomas to qualified masters’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k list, Columbia has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Read more about Legal Professions at Columbia

#12

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#12 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 331 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at UC Berkeley

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 39 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#23 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 95 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also took the #23 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Legal Professions Report

#15

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#18 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 208 masters’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

UCLA also took the #18 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of California - Los Angeles

#16

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 31 degrees to qualified masters’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also took the #19 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Notre Dame

#17

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. William & Mary is a medium-sized school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 37 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at William & Mary are $34,800.

Full William & Mary Legal Professions Report

#18

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#17 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. University of Virginia is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 50 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia are $32,394.

Full University of Virginia Legal Professions Report

#19

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#20 in overall quality

Emory University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 79 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Emory also made our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at Emory University

#20

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Boston University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boston U is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 240 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boston U, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Boston U Legal Professions Report

#21

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida State University is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 80 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Florida State University

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 47 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of California - Irvine

#23

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. IU Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 43 masters’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Legal Professions Report

#24

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 21 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Michigan State

Florida International University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Florida International University is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 36 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full FIU Legal Professions Report

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to The wub.

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