2027 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate’s Degree Schools
[Legal Assistant/Paralegal](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-support-services/legal-assistant-paralegal/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 157 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for legal assistant/paralegal students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal assistant/paralegal degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
Cerritos College tops our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #2 place for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes El Centro College one of the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $17,294. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $33,381. Set against $17,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hillsborough Community College earned it the #5 place for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $21,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $39,517. That is a strong return on a $21,036 median debt.
Macomb Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #7 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $35,314. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College landed the #8 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
St Petersburg College placed #9 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $29,528 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $43,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #10 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College placed #11 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Tarrant County College District earned the #12 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $15,148. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $38,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons earned the #13 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Joliet Junior College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College came in at #16 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College earned the #17 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
Miami Dade College placed #18 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $12,950 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,782 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #19 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $19,500. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College came in at #20 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #21 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Trident Technical College landed the #22 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College placed #23 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College earned the #24 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Students borrow a median of $21,320 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $37,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #25 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $17,616. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in legal assistant/paralegal:
Other Legal Assistant/Paralegal Degree Levels
Explore the best-value legal assistant/paralegal schools at other degree levels:
View All Legal Assistant/Paralegal Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 157 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 157 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
