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2023 Best Value Colleges for Legal Professions (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

45 Ranked Colleges
8,634 Degrees Awarded
$8,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Legal Professions is the 16th most popular major in the country with 61,055 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, legal professions graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $47,649 and had an average of $28,699 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 8,634 legal professions graduates with average earnings and debt of $46,243 and $28,022 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 45 colleges that offered a degree 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k.

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 241 ’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

UChicago also made our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $4,777 for great lakes region legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Chicago

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s legal professions degrees to 515 students in 2020-2021.

Northwestern also made our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $917 for great lakes region legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Professions at Northwestern

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 381 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M also took the #3 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,670 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full U-M Legal Professions Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 405 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $4,788 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - Madison.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Wisconsin - Madison

5
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Out of the 45 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Oakland Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 53 degrees to qualified ’s legal professions students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Oakland Community College is $2,762 for great lakes region legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Oakland Community College

6

Sinclair Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s legal professions degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

Sinclair Community College also took the #23 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,227 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Sinclair Community College.

Full Sinclair Community College Legal Professions Report

7

Lewis and Clark Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Lewis and Clark Community College is a small school located in Godfrey, Illinois that handed out 29 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lewis and Clark Community College, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,906 for great lakes region legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lewis and Clark Community College.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Lewis and Clark Community College

8

Cuyahoga Community College District did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 53 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

Cuyahoga Community College District not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $4,171 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cuyahoga Community College District.

Full Cuyahoga Community College District Legal Professions Report

9
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 202 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Professions at IU Bloomington

10

City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 29 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,801 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Wilbur Wright College

11
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

With a ranking of #11, Ivy Tech Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 157 degrees to qualified ’s legal professions students in 2020-2021.

Ivy Tech Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ivy Tech Community College is $6,820 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Ivy Tech Community College Legal Professions Report

12

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s legal professions degrees to 398 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $8,216 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Legal Professions Report

13
SWIC crest
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Southwestern Illinois College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. SWIC is a public institution located in Belleville, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,170 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southwestern Illinois College.

Read full report on Legal Professions at SWIC

14
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 190 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $9,136 for great lakes region legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Notre Dame.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Notre Dame Legal Professions Report

15
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, Ohio

Stark State College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Stark State College is located in North Canton, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Stark State College is $7,437 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Legal Professions at Stark State College

16

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 191 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,581 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Ohio State Legal Professions Report

17
GVSU crest
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. GVSU is a large school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 34 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

GVSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $11,026 for great lakes region legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grand Valley State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Grand Valley State University Legal Professions Report

18
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school awarded 25 degrees to qualified ’s legal professions students in 2020-2021.

Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $10,786 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Professions at Ball State

19
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s legal professions degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $12,346 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Central Michigan.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Central Michigan

20

With a ranking of #20, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kent State is a public institution located in Kent, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k list, Kent State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kent State is $15,021 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Kent State

21
Madonna crest
Madonna University
Livonia, Michigan

With a ranking of #21, Madonna University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Livonia, Michigan, and it awarded 7 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

Madonna also took the #14 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,079 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Madonna.

Read more about Legal Professions at Madonna University

22
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wayne State University is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 126 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wayne State University is $11,414 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Wayne State University Legal Professions Report

23

Case Western Reserve University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s legal professions degrees to 254 students in 2020-2021.

Case Western also took the #7 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,570 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Case Western.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Legal Professions at Case Western

24
Detroit Mercy crest
University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, Michigan

University of Detroit Mercy came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Detroit Mercy is a private not-for-profit institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 184 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,694 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Detroit Mercy.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Detroit Mercy

25

Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 260 ’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

Illinois Tech also made our “Best Legal Professions Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Institute of Technology is $21,101 for Great Lakes Region Legal Professions students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Illinois Institute of Technology

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