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2027 Best Value Legal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

9 Colleges in the United States
$23,886 Avg Student Debt
$53,402 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Legal Studies Badge [Legal Studies](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/general-legal-studies/legal-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value legal studies schools.

What’s on this page:

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

1

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Springfield, our #1 best value for legal studies in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $24,925. Legal Studies graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $53,344 early in their careers. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.

2
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ivy Tech Community College earned it the #2 place for legal studies. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $22,831 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $40,734. Set against $22,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Legal Studies graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $45,219. Set against $27,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Superior admits about 93% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in legal studies will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #5. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $26,689. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $20,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $41,144. That is a strong return on a $20,980 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

7
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #7 position for value in legal studies this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,753 to complete the legal studies program here. Legal Studies graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,753 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

8

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in legal studies this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for legal studies graduates is $24,546. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value legal studies schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Early-career legal studies graduates make about $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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