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2023 Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Veterans in the Plains States Region

14 Ranked Colleges
2,092 Degrees Awarded
$59,090 Avg Salary
Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate

With all of the options veterans have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Plains States region, there were 3,465 legal professions graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,259 and $33,307 respectively.

This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate” ranking analyzed 14 colleges that offered a degree in legal professions. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great legal professions programs and a strong support system for veterans and active service members.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as veteran satisfaction, veteran affordability, and overall quality of the legal professions program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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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 “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate” list to help you make the college decision.

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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region doctor’s degree vets studying legal professions.

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 227 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region doctor’s degree vets studying legal professions list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Of the 52,017 students enrolled at UMN Twin Cities, 752 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 436 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $13,020. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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…

2
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 14 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 138 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5.Among the 30,318 students enrolled at Iowa, 1 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $0. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Iowa]](/colleges/university-of-iowa/student-life/veterans/)

3
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Kansas. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate list. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 102 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 70 of the 26,744 students enrolled at University of Kansas were GI Bill® students, of which 40 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,917. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Kansas Veteran Student Life Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school handed out 83 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9.According to our most recent data, Mizzou supports 31,089 students, and 5 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 5 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,384. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, 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 89%.

Full Mizzou Veteran Student Life Report

5
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington University in St Louis. The school came in at #5 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 249 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

WUSTL also took the #1 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.According to our most recent data, WUSTL supports 15,449 students, and 7 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 14 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,972. In addition to receiving other benefits, 1 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, 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 94%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Washington University in St Louis Veteran Student Life Report

6
Creighton crest
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate list. This medium-sized school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 103 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

Creighton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.Among the 8,770 students enrolled at Creighton University, 278 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 185 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,575. During this same period, 46 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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%.

Full Creighton Veteran Student Life Report

7
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #7 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate list. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 56 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 796 of the 13,615 students enrolled at UND were GI Bill® students, of which 395 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,112. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 veteran student life at UND]](/colleges/university-of-north-dakota/student-life/veterans/)

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate list. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school handed out 113 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2020-2021.

UNL also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6.According to our most recent data, University of Nebraska - Lincoln supports 25,108 students, and 690 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 344 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,374. On top of their other funding sources, 79 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read More…

9
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #9. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.

Drake also took the #3 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Among the 4,774 students enrolled at Drake University, 100 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 61 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $12,780. During this same period, 11 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, 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 86%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Drake University]](/colleges/drake-university/student-life/veterans/)

10
UST MN crest
University of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate ranking. UST MN is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 144 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

UST MN also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4.Of the 9,792 students enrolled at UST MN, 2 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $0. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 87%.

[Read full report on veteran student life at UST MN]](/colleges/university-of-st-thomas-minnesota/student-life/veterans/)

11

With a ranking of #11, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate list. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 121 students in 2020-2021.

UMKC also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11.Among the 16,147 students enrolled at University of Missouri - Kansas City, 1 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $0. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. University of Missouri - Kansas City does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

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

Read More…

12
USD crest
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate ranking. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 62 students in 2020-2021.

USD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.Our most recent data shows that 332 of the 9,459 students enrolled at USD were GI Bill® students, of which 180 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,423. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. USD does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

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

Full USD Veteran Student Life Report

13
Washburn University crest
Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas

Washburn University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #13. Washburn University is located in Topeka, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 100 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Washburn University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list.Of the 5,880 students enrolled at Washburn University, 306 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 147 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,535. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

14
Mitchell Hamline crest
Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Mitchell Hamline School of Law ranked #14 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Legal Professions for a Doctorate list. Mitchell Hamline School of Law is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 322 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

Mitchell Hamline also took the #14 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.Of the 1,242 students enrolled at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 81 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 61 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $17,849. During this same period, 25 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read More…

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

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