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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley stands out with the lowest net price for legal studies at $6,500, while Southern Methodist University charges $41,778 for similar undergraduate programs. This $35,000 gap reflects Texas's mix of affordable public options and premium private institutions. With the state's legal sector employing over 180,000 professionals and major law firms headquartered in Dallas and Houston, students can access meaningful internships and entry-level positions after completing their foundational legal education.
8
Programs
$6,500 – $41,778
Net Price Range
48.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
2 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
3 $19,398 $37,934 32.4% 60.9%
4 $19,710 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
5 $20,244 $13,498 38.1% 57.3%
6 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
7 $25,255 $33,322 31.1% 62.3%
8 $41,778 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Public universities like UT Rio Grande Valley charge $6,500 net price compared to private institutions like Southern Methodist at $41,778. The $35,000 gap reflects different funding models, with public schools receiving state subsidies that private colleges lack.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Texas legal studies?

Southern Methodist University achieves an 83.3% graduation rate at its $41,778 price point, while more affordable options show mixed results. UT San Antonio graduates 51.2% of students at $11,234 net cost, demonstrating that outcomes vary significantly across price ranges.

Does Texas offer strong financial aid for in-state legal studies students?

Texas provides substantial support through the TEXAS Grant and Texas Tomorrow Fund programs. Public universities show particularly strong value, with UT San Antonio charging only $8,991 in-state tuition despite an $11,234 net price after aid calculations.

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