Compare 6 Legal Studies. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $53,625.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Legal Studies tells a different story. Across 6 programs, earnings range from $35,416 to $69,066—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Central Michigan University's Legal Studies program leads with graduates earning $69,066, well above the $53,625 average across programs. Michigan State follows at $56,208 with a larger cohort of 84 students, while Hamline University rounds out the top three at $54,440—demonstrating that outcomes vary independent of institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Central Michigan graduates borrow $27,000 and face just an 8.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making it both the top performer and best value choice.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $69,066 | 16 | $27,000 | Excellent | $23,103 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $56,208 | 84 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #3 | Hamline UniversityPrivate | $54,440 | 39 | $23,770 | Good | $22,739 | Challenging |
| #4 | $54,150 | 97 | $20,484 | Good | $28,364 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Webster UniversityPrivate | $52,470 | 13 | $23,000 | Good | $13,587 | Manageable |
| #6 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $35,416 | 20 | $15,000 | Manageable | $26,966 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
