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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Legal Professions in the Great Lakes Region

26 Ranked Colleges
4,771 Degrees Awarded
$28,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” ranking.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the legal professions program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 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 doctor’s degree legal professions students.

#1

Purdue University Global

Indianapolis, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University Global. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue University Global is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 67 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue University Global did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University Global are $10,674, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Purdue University Global

#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. WMU-Cooley Law School is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 319 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WMU-Cooley Law School, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU-Cooley Law School are $11,440, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at WMU-Cooley Law School

#3

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Loyola University Chicago landed the #3 spot on the list. Loyola Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 232 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Loyola Chicago also took the #8 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Loyola University Chicago

#4

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Valparaiso University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Valparaiso University is a small school located in Valparaiso, Indiana that handed out 21 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Valpo, the school also landed the #19 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 Valparaiso University are $12,220.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Valpo

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 150 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at UW - Madison

#6

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#12 in overall quality

Marquette University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 175 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

Marquette also took the #12 spot 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at Marquette

#7

Capital University

Columbus, Ohio
#20 in overall quality

Capital University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 115 students in 2019-2020.

Capital not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 University are $13,000.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Capital

#8

University of Detroit Mercy

Detroit, Michigan
#16 in overall quality

University of Detroit Mercy ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 192 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

Detroit Mercy also took the #16 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 Detroit Mercy are $20,047.

Read more about Legal Professions at Detroit Mercy

#9

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 80 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Legal Professions at Northern Illinois University

#10

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#14 in overall quality

DePaul 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 ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 233 students in 2019-2020.

DePaul also took the #14 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 DePaul are $19,760.

Read more about Legal Professions at DePaul

#17 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 248 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

IUPUI also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’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 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#24 in overall quality

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Akron, Ohio that handed out 152 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students list, University of Akron Main Campus has also earned the #24 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 University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Legal Professions Report

#13

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#10 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 165 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 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 Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

Read full report on Legal Professions at IU Bloomington

#18 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students list, UC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Legal Professions Report

#15

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, Ohio

With a ranking of #15, Cleveland State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Cleveland State University is a public institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 97 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cleveland State University are $17,622, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at Cleveland State University

#9 in overall quality

Illinois Institute of Technology landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 223 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 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 Illinois Institute of Technology are $30,695.

Read more about Legal Professions at Illinois Institute of Technology

#17

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#7 in overall quality

Michigan State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 226 students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. 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 full report on Legal Professions at Michigan State

#18

University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio
#21 in overall quality

University of Toledo landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Toledo is a public institution located in Toledo, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 92 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Toledo also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. 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

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 208 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Legal Professions Report

#23 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 102 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #23. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#21

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #21. Wayne State is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 144 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students list, Wayne State has also earned the #22 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 Wayne State are $37,215.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Wayne State University

#22

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 337 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #3 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 Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#5 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Case Western Reserve University is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 132 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western also made our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western Reserve University are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Case Western

#24

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#4 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 203 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Notre Dame

#25

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Northwestern University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Legal Professions Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 278 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students list, Northwestern has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Legal Professions Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Legal Professions at Northwestern

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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

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to The wub.

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