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2023 Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Legal Professions in the Great Lakes Region

29 Ranked Colleges
5,129 Degrees Awarded
$66,590 Avg Salary
Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 61,055 people earned their degree in legal professions, making the major the 16th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, legal professions graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $47,649 and had an average of $28,699 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 8,634 legal professions graduates with average earnings and debt of $46,243 and $28,022 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 5,129 legal professions graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,305 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate” ranking analyzed 29 colleges that offered a degree in legal professions. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular legal professions programs in the United States.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The legal professions school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree legal professions students.

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. This small school is located in Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 411 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Professions at WMU-Cooley Law School

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 364 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Legal Professions Report

3
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 29 schools in the Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 296 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Northwestern University

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #4 for the Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 285 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UIC Legal Professions Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 271 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Legal Professions Report

6

With a ranking of #6, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 235 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

7
Loyola Chicago crest
Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate ranking. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 233 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Loyola University Chicago Legal Professions Report

8

Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #8 on this year’s Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 226 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois Institute of Technology Legal Professions Report

9
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 216 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Professions at Michigan State University

10
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate ranking. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 213 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Professions at University of Chicago

11
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #11, Marquette University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. Marquette University is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 195 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Legal Professions at Marquette University

12
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University ranked #12 on this year’s Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. DePaul is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 192 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full DePaul Legal Professions Report

13
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #13. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 183 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Notre Dame Legal Professions Report

14

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 179 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Ohio State Legal Professions Report

15

University of Detroit Mercy landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 176 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full University of Detroit Mercy Legal Professions Report

16

Case Western Reserve University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #16. Case Western is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 174 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full Case Western Reserve University Legal Professions Report

16

With a ranking of #16, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 174 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Professions at IU Bloomington

18

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate ranking. This fairly large school is located in Akron, Ohio, and it awarded 131 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

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

19

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate ranking. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 127 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Legal Professions at UC

20

Cleveland State University ranked #20 on this year’s Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 125 degrees to qualified doctorate’s legal professions students in 2020-2021.

Full Cleveland State University Legal Professions Report

21
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate ranking. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s legal professions degrees to 123 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Legal Professions at Wayne State

22

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate ranking. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 122 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Legal Professions at UIUC

23
Capital crest
Capital University
Columbus, Ohio

With a ranking of #23, Capital University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. This small school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 121 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Professions at Capital

24

With a ranking of #24, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 73 doctorate’s legal professions degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Legal Professions at NIU

25

With a ranking of #25, University of Toledo did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Legal Professions Major in the Great Lakes Region for a Doctorate list. This fairly large school is located in Toledo, Ohio, and it awarded 72 doctorate’s legal professions degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Legal Professions at University of Toledo

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