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Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice delivers strong value in legal studies education with a net price of just $3,046, making quality legal education accessible to students across economic backgrounds. The program's 55.50% graduation rate, while modest, reflects the college's commitment to serving working students and first-generation college attendees who often balance studies with employment. Graduates earn a median of $32,925, providing solid returns on this minimal investment. The federal legal sector employs over 280,000 professionals nationwide, with significant opportunities in government agencies, corporate compliance, and legal support services. Private institutions in this field charge dramatically more, with some reaching over $37,000 annually, yet their graduates don't necessarily command proportionally higher salaries. Public universities dominate the best-value rankings, offering in-state students particularly strong financial advantages. The University of California-Berkeley stands out with a 92.90% graduation rate and $45,500 median earnings, though its $14,979 net cost reflects California's higher living expenses. Students considering this field should evaluate both immediate costs and long-term career prospects, as legal studies graduates often pursue additional education or certification.
50
Programs
$3,046 – $41,945
Net Price Range
$36,433
Avg. Program Earnings
61.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,046 $32,925 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
2 $9,104 $42,123 $8,400 53.2%
3 $10,017 $41,007 $12,817 62.3% 88.4%
4 $14,514 $47,260 $7,992 29.6%
5 $13,485 $41,007 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
6 $14,979 $45,500 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
7 $14,693 $39,927 $6,152 26.3%
8 $14,590 $36,992 $37,227 56.9% 75.6%
9 $15,770 $39,369 $22,106 48.1% 85.9%
10 $13,670 $33,993 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
11 $12,267 $30,409 $10,110 47.6%
12 $16,928 $39,909 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
13 $13,584 $31,851 $14,694 56.9% 90.1%
14 $15,524 $35,701 $7,995 31.9%
15 $18,990 $41,565 $8,522 37.5% 69.9%
16 $16,607 $34,704 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
17 $21,385 $42,044 $48,311 57.7% 80.6%
18 $19,196 $37,208 $17,100 35.3%
19 $18,292 $34,230 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
20 $21,398 $39,585 $10,964 73.1% 86.0%
21 $26,196 $41,789 $30,730 61.1% 55.1%
22 $31,058 $47,260 $13,320 50.0%
23 $23,691 $35,772 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
24 $20,751 $31,314 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
25 $22,602 $33,993 $15,580 22.4%
26 $17,764 $26,353 $15,150 47.7% 91.5%
27 $26,925 $38,289 $47,000 65.4% 73.5%
28 $27,143 $35,416 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
29 $34,439 $39,369 $24,136 44.2% 96.5%
30 $26,985 $29,685 $50,110 68.5% 84.7%
31 $32,697 $35,954 $44,405 75.8% 80.4%
32 $30,031 $32,391 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
33 $41,945 $42,728 $56,543 78.5% 40.6%
34 $23,707 $23,649 $45,870 55.3% 77.9%
35 $36,037 $35,600 $59,340 78.0% 77.7%
36 $31,303 $25,194 $37,080 64.3% 75.8%
37 $36,803 $25,967 $59,926 84.2% 18.9%
38 $20,918 $14,081 62.8% 78.7%
39 $23,991 $40,410 55.9% 88.6%
40 $25,022 $36,078 74.3% 64.9%
41 $13,405 $8,487 44.1% 95.6%
42 $31,236 $47,600 81.5% 74.1%
43 $38,111 $64,000 80.1% 22.0%
44 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
45 $35,000 $45,550 63.0% 55.7%
46 $11,800 $7,513 37.2% 99.5%
47 $29,552 $21,222 63.5% 99.3%
48 $21,619 $52,357 61.7% 52.2%
49 $16,135 $36,650 54.7% 54.4%
50 $23,731 $39,646 62.6% 86.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY John Jay College the top value choice for legal studies?

CUNY John Jay College offers the lowest net price at $3,046 while maintaining a respectable 55.50% graduation rate. Students graduate with minimal debt of $7,500 compared to the national average of over $30,000 for college graduates. The college's location in New York City provides access to extensive legal internship and employment opportunities in one of the nation's largest legal markets.

How do public university costs compare to private institutions in legal studies?

Public universities offer significantly better value, with schools like University of Washington-Tacoma charging $10,017 net compared to private institutions reaching $37,227. In-state students benefit most, with many public programs costing under $15,000 annually. Private institutions often carry higher debt loads, with some graduates owing over $30,000 upon completion.

Is the earnings potential worth the investment in legal studies programs?

Graduates earn between $30,409 and $47,260 annually, with University of Maryland Global Campus leading at $47,260 despite charging $14,514 net tuition. The return on investment varies significantly by institution, with low-cost public options like CUNY John Jay offering strong financial returns. Students should consider that many legal studies graduates pursue additional education or certification to increase earning potential.

Does graduation rate correlate with program quality in legal studies?

University of California-Berkeley achieves the highest graduation rate at 92.90% while charging $14,979, demonstrating that higher-performing programs often command premium pricing. However, schools serving working adults like University of Maryland Global Campus show lower rates at 29.60% due to different student populations and part-time enrollment patterns. Graduation rates should be evaluated within the context of each institution's student demographics and support services.

Where do legal studies graduates find the best employment opportunities?

Major metropolitan areas offer the most opportunities, with programs in New York, Seattle, and Washington DC providing access to government agencies, law firms, and corporate legal departments. The federal government alone employs thousands of legal support professionals, particularly in the DC area where University of the District of Columbia charges just $6,152 for in-state students. Regional job markets vary significantly, making location a important factor in program selection and career planning.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.