2027 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Legal Assistant/Paralegal](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-support-services/legal-assistant-paralegal/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong legal assistant/paralegal education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for legal assistant/paralegal students.
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2027 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal assistant/paralegal degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
Macomb Community College earned the #1 spot for value among legal assistant/paralegal schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,636. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $39,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $17,616. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Oakton Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $8,093. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $33,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College earned the #10 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,083. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $42,262. That is a strong return on a $14,083 median debt.
Elgin Community College came in at #11 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County came in at #12 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $9,785. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $45,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College came in at #13 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
College Of Dupage ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $21,625 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $40,429 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #16 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $14,280 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $34,981. Set against $14,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College placed #18 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University South Bend landed the #19 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $47,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Purdue University Global placed #20 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $31,147. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $40,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. Set against $14,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #22 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $44,020 early in their careers. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #23 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $21,963. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $44,323. That is a strong return on a $21,963 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #24 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $36,159 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College placed #25 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $20,017. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $39,221 early in their careers. Set against $20,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in legal assistant/paralegal:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
