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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Legal Professions (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

20 Ranked Colleges
1,395 Degrees Awarded
$32,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 61,993 people earned their degree in legal professions, making the major the 17th most popular in the United States. 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,395 legal professions graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered a degree in legal professions. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent legal professions programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the legal professions program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

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

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 82 masters’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UChicago Legal Professions Report

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 366 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern Legal Professions Report

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 40 degrees to qualified masters’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Legal Professions Report

#4

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 31 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Legal Professions Master’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

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 39 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Master’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 Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Full UW - Madison Legal Professions Report

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#10 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 43 degrees to qualified masters’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

Full IU Bloomington Legal Professions Report

#16 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 24 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Master’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 Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141.

Read more about Legal Professions at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#14 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. UIS is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 9 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at UIS

#13 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s legal professions degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’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 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013.

Read more about Legal Professions at IUPUI

#6 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Case Western is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 142 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Case Western

#11

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 21 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at Michigan State University

#12

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan

With a ranking of #12, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s 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 6 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at Wayne State

#13

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of Toledo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Toledo is a fairly large public school situated in Toledo, Ohio. It awarded 10 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Toledo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Toledo are $27,067, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Toledo

#17 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 11 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

UC also made our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Legal Professions Report

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s legal professions degrees to 109 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech also made our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois Tech are $30,695.

Read more about Legal Professions at Illinois Tech

#16

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio
#20 in overall quality

Cleveland State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s legal professions degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Cleveland State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cleveland State University are $17,622, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cleveland State University Legal Professions Report

#19 in overall quality

University of Akron Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is a public institution located in Akron, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Akron Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Akron Main Campus

#18

Capital University

Columbus, Ohio

Capital University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Capital University is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Capital also took the #0 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Master’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 Capital are $13,000.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Capital University

#19

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 152 masters’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Chicago, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Master’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 Loyola University Chicago are $19,154.

Read more about Legal Professions at Loyola Chicago

#20

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

DePaul University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 49 diplomas to qualified masters’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k list, DePaul has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full DePaul Legal Professions Report

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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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