Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at Bellevue University

With just three schools offering legal studies in Nebraska, Bellevue University sits at the median for the state—but that's hardly the story. The real signal comes from national comparisons: graduates here earn nearly $6,000 more than the typical legal studies bachelor's degree holder, landing this program in the 79th percentile nationally. First-year earnings of $44,839 beat three-quarters of comparable programs across the country, which typically post median earnings around $39,162.

The tradeoff is debt. At $37,250, graduates carry about $11,500 more than the national median for this field, though the 0.83 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable—borrowers owe less than one year's salary. This "premium price" structure makes sense if you value the stronger earnings trajectory, but it does mean starting with a heavier repayment burden than at most legal studies programs.

For parents weighing this option, the calculation is straightforward: you're paying more upfront for significantly better earnings performance. If your student is committed to this field and values Bellevue's execution (which clearly outperforms most peers), the premium appears justified by the outcomes. Just ensure the higher debt load fits your family's financial comfort zone.