2026 Best Value Law Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Law](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/law/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for law students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Law Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the law degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Law Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for law in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Law graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Early-career law graduates make about $62,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in law will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Law graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $170,537. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis one of the best values for law. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $64,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $84,855. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $70,500 early in their careers. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #6 position for value in law this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for law graduates is $20,542. Law graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $75,186 early in their careers. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University placed #7 among the best values for law. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for law graduates is $25,209. Early-career law graduates make about $57,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Purdue University Global ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Typical student debt for law graduates is $36,778. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $54,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in law this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for law graduates is $25,347. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $57,386. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Baker College Of Flint landed the #10 spot for law value this year. Located in the town of Owosso, Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,000. Typical student debt for law graduates is $30,688. Early-career law graduates make about $46,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Law graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Law graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $71,236 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Cleveland State University earned the #12 position for value in law this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for law graduates is $26,336. Law graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $64,805 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Chicago landed the #13 spot for law value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the law program here. Early-career law graduates make about $199,603. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for law. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Law graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Early-career law graduates make about $77,868. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #15 spot for law value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Typical student debt for law graduates is $29,053. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $63,731. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #16 among the best values for law. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology earned the #17 position for value in law this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Law graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $73,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo landed the #18 spot for law value this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Typical student debt for law graduates is $24,923. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $57,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #19 among the best values for law. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for law graduates is $25,213. Early-career law graduates make about $67,554. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for law. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for law graduates is $23,530. Early-career law graduates make about $60,967. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Northwestern University placed #21 among the best values for law. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for law graduates is $16,616. Early-career law graduates make about $210,979. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Capital University landed the #22 spot for law value this year. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,234. Students borrow a median of $28,269 to complete the law program here. Law graduates of Capital University earn a median of $62,010 early in their careers. Set against $28,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Ohio Northern University earned the #23 position for value in law this year. Set in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for law graduates is $26,661. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Ohio Northern University generally make around $55,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value law schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for law graduates is $19,891. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $103,733. Set against $19,891 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Depaul University landed the #25 spot for law value this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the law program here. Soon after graduation, law degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $68,344. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Law Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s law value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
