2026 Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

For return on investment in non-professional general legal studies, no school beat University Of Illinois At Springfield this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $24,925. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $53,344. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

2

Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value non-professional general legal studies schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $22,831. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Set against $22,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #3 place for non-professional general legal studies. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Platteville earned it the #4 place for non-professional general legal studies. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $23,677. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $56,998. That is a strong return on a $23,677 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.

5

University Of Wisconsin Superior
Superior, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Superior earned it the #5 place for non-professional general legal studies. Located in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, while out-of-state students pay about $16,726. Typical student debt for non-professional general legal studies graduates is $27,845. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $45,219 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #6 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the non-professional general legal studies program here. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #7 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $20,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $41,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

8

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #8 among the best values for non-professional general legal studies. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $24,753 in student loans. Soon after graduation, non-professional general legal studies degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $33,752. Set against $24,753 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

9

Indiana Institute Of Technology
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for non-professional general legal studies value this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,361. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $36,380 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $56,185. That is a strong return on a $36,380 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in non-professional general legal studies this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Non-Professional General Legal Studies graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Early-career non-professional general legal studies graduates make about $58,659. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.