2026 Best Value Legal Research Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, our #1 best value for legal research in Illinois. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Legal Research graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the best values for legal research. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Legal Research graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

3

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

A rank of #3 makes Illinois Institute Of Technology one of the best values for legal research. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the legal research program here. Early-career legal research graduates make about $71,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.

4

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

A rank of #4 makes Northwestern University one of the best values for legal research. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the legal research program here. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $129,670. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

5

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal research, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $25,310. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,226. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

6

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago came in at #6 for value in legal research this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,710. Typical student debt for legal research graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, legal research degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $98,283. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.