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

24 Ranked Colleges
4,771 Degrees Awarded
$30,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 4,771 legal professions graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 24 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in legal professions. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality legal professions programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 278 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’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 Northwestern are $56,567.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 208 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Chicago

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate 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. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 337 students in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Legal Professions at U-M

#4

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 203 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Notre Dame

#6 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 Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 150 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Legal Professions Report

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#10 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 165 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at IU Bloomington

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate 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 208 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ohio State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’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 are $37,141.

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

#17 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 248 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full IUPUI Legal Professions Report

#9

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#7 in overall quality

Michigan State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 226 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’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 Michigan State are $37,056.

Read more about Legal Professions at Michigan State

#5 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 132 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

Case Western not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at Case Western

#11

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Detroit Mercy did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Detroit Mercy is a private not-for-profit institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 192 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Detroit Mercy did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’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 Detroit Mercy are $20,047.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Detroit Mercy

#12

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 80 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’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 Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Northern Illinois University

#13

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

Wayne State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wayne State is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 144 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’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 Wayne State are $37,215.

Full Wayne State University Legal Professions Report

#23 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 102 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at SIUC

#18 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 94 students in 2019-2020.

UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’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 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644.

Read more about Legal Professions at UC

#16

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of Toledo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Toledo, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 92 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Toledo, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’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 Toledo are $27,067.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Toledo

#17

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cleveland State University is a fairly large public school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 97 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cleveland State University are $17,622.

Full Cleveland State University Legal Professions Report

#9 in overall quality

Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Illinois Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 223 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois Institute of Technology are $30,695, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Illinois Tech Legal Professions Report

#19

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#12 in overall quality

Marquette University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Marquette is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 175 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k list, Marquette has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette University are $21,690, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at Marquette University

#24 in overall quality

University of Akron Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is located in Akron, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 152 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Akron Main Campus, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Akron Main Campus

#21

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Valparaiso University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Valpo is a private not-for-profit institution located in Valparaiso, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k list, Valpo has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’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 Valpo are $12,220.

Read more about Legal Professions at Valparaiso University

#22

Capital University

Columbus, Ohio
#20 in overall quality

Capital University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Capital University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 115 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Capital did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’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 Capital are $13,000.

Full Capital Legal Professions Report

#23

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 232 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students whose families make $30-$48k list, Loyola Chicago has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at Loyola Chicago

#24

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

DePaul University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. DePaul is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 233 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

DePaul also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul are $19,760.

Read more about Legal Professions at DePaul

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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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