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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the Great Lakes Region

15 Colleges in the United States
1,154 Legal Assistant/Paralegal Degrees Awarded
$41,054 Avg Early-Career Salary

Legal Assistant/Paralegal is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 93 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for legal assistant/paralegal students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the legal assistant/paralegal degrees they offer, see the list below.

1

Leading the list is Illinois State University, our #1 school for legal assistant/paralegal. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 14 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $49,660 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Illinois State University

2

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 71 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $45,549 early in their careers. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,258 in student loans. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

3

Grand Valley State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. Grand Valley State University awarded about 44 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $40,778 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Grand Valley State University

4

College Of Lake County is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, ranking #4. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. There were roughly 34 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at College Of Lake County in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $45,094 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete this degree. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for College Of Lake County

5

Fox Valley Technical College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Fox Valley Technical College awarded about 12 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $44,020 in their early career. Fox Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Fox Valley Technical College

6
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #6 for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. About 38 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $43,980. Typical student debt for the program is $10,963. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Harper College

7

Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #7 spot for legal assistant/paralegal this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cleveland. There were roughly 37 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Cuyahoga Community College District in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. Cuyahoga Community College District graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for Cuyahoga Community College District

8

Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #8 spot for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 37 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Lewis And Clark Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from Lewis And Clark Community College earn around $41,313 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete this degree. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Lewis And Clark Community College

9

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #9 position for legal assistant/paralegal this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Indianapolis. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $21,963 in student loans. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

10

Loyola University Chicago earned the #10 position for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 53 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $48,819 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $35,000. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for Loyola University Chicago

11

Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #11 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. About 35 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Milwaukee Area Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Milwaukee Area Technical College

12

Southwestern Illinois College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Belleville. There were roughly 11 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $42,994. Southwestern Illinois College graduates carry a median of $14,348 in student loans. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Southwestern Illinois College

13

Roosevelt University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 10 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Roosevelt University in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from Roosevelt University earn around $50,101 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,986 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Roosevelt University

14

Kent State University At Kent earned the #14 position for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $38,981 early in their careers. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Kent State University At Kent

15
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College landed the #15 spot for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 25 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Oakland Community College in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $42,262 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,083. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Oakland Community College

16

Madison Area Technical College landed the #16 spot for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 43 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. Typical student debt for the program is $16,812. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Madison Area Technical College

17

Elgin Community College placed #17 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Elgin Community College awarded about 13 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $43,975 in their early career. Elgin Community College graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Elgin Community College

18

Macomb Community College came in at #18 for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 26 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Macomb Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Typical student debt for the program is $9,862. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Macomb Community College

19

University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #19 position for legal assistant/paralegal this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Batavia. There were roughly 36 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Clermont College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $39,106. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College graduates carry a median of $19,525 in student loans. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at University Of Cincinnati Clermont College

20

University Of Toledo placed #20 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. University Of Toledo graduates 58% of students within six years. University Of Toledo awarded about 16 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $35,554. University Of Toledo graduates carry a median of $27,605 in student loans. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at University Of Toledo

21
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage landed the #21 spot for legal assistant/paralegal this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. There were roughly 21 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from College Of Dupage earn around $40,429 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $21,625 in student loans. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at College Of Dupage

22

Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #22 for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. About 12 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Chippewa Valley Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. Chippewa Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Chippewa Valley Technical College

23

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College awarded about 30 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $33,073 in their early career. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College

24
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Ivy Tech Community College awarded about 195 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $34,981. Ivy Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $14,280 in student loans. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Ivy Tech Community College

25
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College landed the #25 spot for legal assistant/paralegal this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. There were roughly 18 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Mchenry County College in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Mchenry County College graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Mchenry County College

These schools also placed among the best for legal assistant/paralegal this year:

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Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN
33
Maccormac College crest
Maccormac College
Chicago, IL
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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 93 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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