by our College Data Analytics Team
[Legal Professions](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value legal professions schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in legal professions in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal professions, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $9,602. Legal Professions graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in legal professions will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Oakton Community College one of the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earned it the #5 place for legal professions. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
Elgin Community College landed the #6 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $7,727. Legal Professions graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
College Of Lake County placed #7 among the best values for legal professions. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $9,785. Legal Professions graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $45,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Mchenry County College landed the #8 spot for legal professions value this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $7,440. Legal Professions graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions 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.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #10 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the legal professions program here. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $53,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #11 for value in legal professions this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $62,322 early in their careers. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #12 spot for legal professions value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $20,778. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $84,855. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Chicago earned the #13 position for value in legal professions this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $199,603. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #14 spot for legal professions value this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $28,000. Early-career legal professions graduates make about $38,536. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #15 position for value in legal professions this year. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the legal professions program here. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $73,249. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #16 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $25,209. Legal Professions graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $57,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Illinois State University landed the #17 spot for legal professions value this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $21,896. Legal Professions graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Maccormac College placed #18 among the best values for legal professions. Located in the city of Chicago, Maccormac College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,700. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Maccormac College earn a median of $43,061 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Roosevelt University came in at #19 for value in legal professions this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Students borrow a median of $15,986 to complete the legal professions program here. Legal Professions graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $50,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,986 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University came in at #20 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal professions graduates is $16,616. Legal Professions graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $129,781 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Depaul University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value legal professions schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal professions degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $68,344. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago came in at #22 for value in legal professions this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Legal Professions graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Legal Professions graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $97,368 early in their careers. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.