Best colleges for Non-Professional Legal Studies in Illinois
Ranked by graduates a year
University of Illinois Springfield, Northwestern University and Dominican University award the most Non-Professional Legal Studies degrees and certificates in Illinois: 27, 10 and 4 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 Illinois colleges offer Non-Professional Legal Studies and award 41 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Non-Professional Legal Studies program offers students an opportunity to explore legal principles and practices without qualifying for bar admission. This program is ideal for individuals with a bachelor's degree in a non-law field who…
3 institutions offering Non-Professional Legal Studies in Illinois
Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Springfield Springfield Public | — | 27 | 53% | — | — |
| 2 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | — | 10 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 3 | Dominican University River Forest Private not-for-profit | — | 4 | 55% | $16,176 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Non-Professional Legal Studies degrees in Illinois
Top 3 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Springfield Springfield Public | 27 | Not reported |
| 2 | Northwestern University Evanston Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 3 | Dominican University River Forest Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Paralegals and Legal Assistants (SOC 23-2011).
Top skills
What Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Non-Professional Legal Studies programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Non-Professional Legal Studies degrees?+
University of Illinois Springfield (27 graduates a year), Northwestern University (10 graduates a year) and Dominican University (4 graduates a year) award the most Non-Professional Legal Studies degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 Illinois colleges offer Non-Professional Legal Studies.
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Illinois is $72,310 (median $63,670), across about 14,130 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Non-Professional Legal Studies program?+
The Non-Professional Legal Studies program offers students an opportunity to explore legal principles and practices without qualifying for bar admission. This program is ideal for individuals with a bachelor's degree in a non-law field who…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop writing, active listening, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?+
The national job outlook is about +0.2% growth with around 39,300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Associate's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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