2026 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Legal Assistant/Paralegal](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-support-services/legal-assistant-paralegal/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 93 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for legal assistant/paralegal students.
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2026 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal assistant/paralegal degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
Lewis And Clark Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in legal assistant/paralegal will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #2. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $33,073. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Henry Ford Community College one of the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in legal assistant/paralegal will find it at Oakland Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $14,083 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $42,262. Set against $14,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #6 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College earned the #7 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College landed the #8 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $10,963. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Harper College earn a median of $43,980 early in their careers. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College landed the #9 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
College Of Lake County came in at #10 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $45,094. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Sinclair Community College landed the #11 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
College Of Dupage landed the #12 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $21,625. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $40,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #13 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $14,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $42,994. That is a strong return on a $14,348 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #14 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,280. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $34,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,280 median debt.
Wayne County Community College District earned the #15 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,112, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $20,820. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Wayne County Community College District earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. Set against $20,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College earned the #16 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College landed the #17 spot for legal assistant/paralegal 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, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal 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.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #18 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Stark State College came in at #19 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $19,525. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $39,106. That is a strong return on a $19,525 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #21 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $44,020. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #22 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $21,963 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $44,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #23 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. Set against $14,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College earned the #24 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,234 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $16,812. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in legal assistant/paralegal:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 93 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
