Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Legal Professions

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California

19 Ranked Colleges
4,006 Degrees Awarded
$26,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Legal Professions is the 17th most popular major in the country with 61,993 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.

Across California, there were 8,704 legal professions graduates with average earnings and debt of $51,471 and $91,716 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 4,006 legal professions graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,544 and $133,402 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California” ranking analyzed 19 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the legal professions program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The legal professions school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

The colleges and universities below are the best for california doctor’s degree legal professions students.

#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 346 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree legal professions students list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at UC Berkeley

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 313 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree legal professions students list, UCLA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” 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 UCLA

#3

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

San Diego, California
#16 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Thomas Jefferson School of Law. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California list. San Diego, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 108 students in 2019-2020.

Thomas Jefferson School of Law did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Thomas Jefferson School of Law are $1,620.

Full Thomas Jefferson School of Law Legal Professions Report

#4

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Loyola Marymount University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California. Loyola Marymount University is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 332 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Loyola Marymount also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Marymount University are $19,756, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Loyola Marymount University

#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Irvine. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 140 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree legal professions students list, UC Irvine has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of California - Irvine

#10 in overall quality

University of California - Davis ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California list. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 151 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

UC Davis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of California - Davis

#8

Golden Gate University - San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Golden Gate University - San Francisco did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California list. This small school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 136 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree legal professions students list, Golden Gate University - San Francisco has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Golden Gate University - San Francisco are $19,705.

Read more about Legal Professions at Golden Gate University - San Francisco

#9

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California
#5 in overall quality

Santa Clara University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. SCU is located in Santa Clara, California and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 207 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

SCU also took the #5 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Santa Clara University are $23,507, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SCU Legal Professions Report

#10

University of La Verne

La Verne, California
#17 in overall quality

University of La Verne ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California list. University of La Verne is a medium-sized school located in La Verne, California that handed out 76 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

ULV did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at ULV are $14,526, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at ULV

#11

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
#7 in overall quality

University of San Francisco landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. USFCA is a fairly large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 126 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

USFCA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USFCA are $26,710, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at USFCA

#12

University of San Diego

San Diego, California
#9 in overall quality

University of San Diego came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. University of San Diego is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 241 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

USD also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of San Diego are $28,410.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of San Diego

#12

Whittier College

Whittier, California
#19 in overall quality

Whittier College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Whittier is a small school located in Whittier, California that handed out 11 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Whittier, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Whittier College are $14,742, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Whittier Legal Professions Report

#13

Trinity Law School

Santa Ana, California
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Trinity Law School did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California list. Trinity Law School is located in Santa Ana, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 38 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Trinity Law School, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Trinity Law School are $13,650.

Full Trinity Law School Legal Professions Report

#20 in overall quality

The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law at Ventura landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Ventura, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ventura College of Law, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking.

Read full report on Legal Professions at The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law at Ventura

#14

California Western School of Law

San Diego, California
#15 in overall quality

California Western School of Law ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California list. San Diego, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 206 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at California Western, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Western are $32,590, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at California Western School of Law

#15

Southwestern Law School

Los Angeles, California
#20 in overall quality

Southwestern Law School came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Southwestern Law School is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 209 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Southwestern Law School also took the #20 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southwestern Law School are $18,530, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at Southwestern Law School

#16

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #16. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 189 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california doctor’s degree legal professions students list, USC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USC are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at USC

#17

University of the Pacific

Stockton, California
#13 in overall quality

University of the Pacific ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California list. University of the Pacific is a medium-sized school located in Stockton, California that handed out 131 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Pacific did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of the Pacific are $49,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of the Pacific

#8 in overall quality

University of California - Hastings College of Law landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. University of California - Hastings College of Law is located in San Francisco, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 293 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

UC Hastings did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Hastings College of Law are $53,772.

Read more about Legal Professions at UC Hastings

#23 in overall quality

Humphreys University - Stockton and Modesto Campuses came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking. Located in Stockton, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Humphreys University, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Humphreys University - Stockton and Modesto Campuses are $13,200.

Read more about Legal Professions at Humphreys University - Stockton and Modesto Campuses

#19

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#2 in overall quality

Stanford University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in California ranking, coming in at #19. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 187 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at Stanford

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You