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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Legal Professions (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

24 Ranked Colleges
4,771 Degrees Awarded
$30,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that 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 the Great Lakes region, there were 8,513 legal professions graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,584 and $54,966 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 4,771 legal professions graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 24 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in legal professions. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality legal professions programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k.

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 278 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 208 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Chicago

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 337 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k list, U-M has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full U-M Legal Professions Report

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 150 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 203 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Notre Dame Legal Professions Report

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#10 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 165 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Legal Professions Report

#7

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 226 students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Michigan State University

#13 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 208 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ohio State Legal Professions Report

#17 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 248 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#10

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Illinois University is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 80 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full NIU Legal Professions Report

#5 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Case Western Reserve University is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 132 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western also took the #5 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958.

Full Case Western Reserve University Legal Professions Report

#12

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

University of Detroit Mercy did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Detroit Mercy is a private not-for-profit institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 192 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Detroit Mercy, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Detroit Mercy are $20,047.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Detroit Mercy

#13

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

Wayne State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wayne State is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 144 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Wayne State University

#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 102 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k list, SIUC has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at SIUC

#18 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school awarded 94 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#16

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Marquette University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 175 students in 2019-2020.

Marquette also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette are $21,690, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Marquette University

#9 in overall quality

Illinois Institute of Technology came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 223 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois Institute of Technology are $30,695.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Illinois Tech

#18

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio
#21 in overall quality

University of Toledo did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Toledo, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 92 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Toledo has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Toledo are $27,067, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Toledo

#19

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 97 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cleveland State University are $17,622.

Full Cleveland State University Legal Professions Report

#24 in overall quality

University of Akron Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 152 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Akron Main Campus also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Akron Main Campus

#21

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

Valparaiso University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Valpo is a small school located in Valparaiso, Indiana that handed out 21 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k list, Valpo has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Valpo are $12,220.

Full Valparaiso University Legal Professions Report

#22

Capital University

Columbus, Ohio
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Capital University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Capital University is a small school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 115 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $0-$30k list, Capital has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Capital University are $13,000, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Capital Legal Professions Report

#23

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 232 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Loyola University Chicago

#24

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

DePaul University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 233 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

DePaul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at DePaul University

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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

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