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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Legal Assistant/Paralegal (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

16 Ranked Colleges
846 Degrees Awarded
$9,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 9,938 people earned their degree in legal assistant/paralegal, making the major the 123rd most popular in the United States.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 1,646 legal assistant/paralegal graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 846 legal assistant/paralegal graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,689 and $18,419 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 16 colleges that offered a degree in legal assistant/paralegal. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality legal assistant/paralegal programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the legal assistant/paralegal program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.

#1

American River College

Sacramento, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American River College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. American River College is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 36 associates’s paralegal degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k list, American River has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $4,334 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend American River.

Read full report on Legal Assistant/Paralegal at American River College

#2

Cerritos College

Norwalk, California
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Cerritos College landed the #2 spot on the list. Norwalk, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s paralegal degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

Cerritos College also took the #9 spot in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $3,407 for far western us region associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cerritos College.

Read full report on Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Cerritos College

#3

Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, Washington
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tacoma Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Tacoma, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s paralegal degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tacoma Community College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $5,126 for far western us region associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tacoma Community College.

Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Tacoma Community College

#4

Portland Community College

Portland, Oregon
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Portland Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Portland Community College is a public institution located in Portland, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 52 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Portland Community College also made our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Portland Community College is $7,669 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Portland Community College Legal Assistant/Paralegal Report

#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Puget Sound Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Olympia, Washington, and it awarded 17 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Puget Sound Community College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Puget Sound Community College is $6,372 for far western us region associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full South Puget Sound Community College Legal Assistant/Paralegal Report

#6

Coastline Community College

Fountain Valley, California
#4 in overall quality

Coastline Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Fountain Valley, California, this medium-sized public school handed out 24 degrees to qualified associates’s paralegal students in 2019-2020.

Coastline Community College also made our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Coastline Community College is $6,776 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Coastline Community College

#7

Whatcom Community College

Bellingham, Washington
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Whatcom Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Whatcom Community College is a small school located in Bellingham, Washington that handed out 5 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Whatcom Community College, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Whatcom Community College is $6,213 for far western us region associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Whatcom Community College

#8

West Los Angeles College

Culver City, California
#5 in overall quality

West Los Angeles College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Culver City, California, this fairly large public school awarded 12 degrees to qualified associates’s paralegal students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k list, West LA College has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for West LA College is $6,641 for far western us region associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full West LA College Legal Assistant/Paralegal Report

#9

Edmonds Community College

Lynnwood, Washington
#8 in overall quality

Edmonds Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lynnwood, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s paralegal degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

Edmonds Community College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $6,695 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Edmonds Community College.

Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Edmonds Community College

#10

Spokane Community College

Spokane, Washington
#13 in overall quality

Spokane Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Spokane, Washington, this medium-sized public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified associates’s paralegal students in 2019-2020.

Spokane Community College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $4,616 for far western us region associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Spokane Community College.

Full Spokane Community College Legal Assistant/Paralegal Report

#11

Umpqua Community College

Roseburg, Oregon
#12 in overall quality

Umpqua Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Umpqua Community College is a public institution located in Roseburg, Oregon. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Umpqua Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Umpqua Community College is $8,749 for far western us region associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Umpqua Community College Legal Assistant/Paralegal Report

#12

MTI College

Sacramento, California
#2 in overall quality

MTI College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MTI College is a private for-profit institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MTI College also made our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend MTI College is $17,805 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Legal Assistant/Paralegal at MTI College

#13

National University

La Jolla, California
#11 in overall quality

National University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 2 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at National University, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at National University

#14

South Coast College

Orange, California
#14 in overall quality

South Coast College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. South Coast College is a small school located in Orange, California that handed out 10 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.

South Coast College also made our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $19,044 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Coast College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at South Coast College

#16 in overall quality

Santa Barbara Business College - Bakersfield ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associates’s paralegal degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Santa Barbara Business College - Bakersfield also took the #16 spot in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Santa Barbara Business College - Bakersfield is $14,774 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Santa Barbara Business College - Bakersfield

#16

Fremont College

Cerritos, California
#15 in overall quality

Fremont College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cerritos, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associates’s paralegal degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

Fremont College also made our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $22,151 for far western us region associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fremont College.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Fremont College

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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