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2026 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal assistant/paralegal, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
Leading the list is City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College, our #1 best value for legal assistant/paralegal in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $8,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in legal assistant/paralegal will find it at Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #2. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $9,602. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Elgin Community College one of the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harper College earned it the #4 place for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Harper College earn a median of $43,980 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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College Of Lake County earned the #6 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $45,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #7 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,348. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $42,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College placed #8 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois State University earned the #9 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $21,896. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $49,660. That is a strong return on a $21,896 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Maccormac College placed #10 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the city of Chicago, Maccormac College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,700. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Maccormac College earn a median of $43,061 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt.
[Legal Assistant/Paralegal](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-support-services/legal-assistant-paralegal/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
