2026 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Legal Assistant/Paralegal](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-support-services/legal-assistant-paralegal/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 530 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools.
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2026 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
St Petersburg College tops our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools in the United States. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $35,238. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $43,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $14,563 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $34,675. That is a strong return on a $14,563 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #3 place for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $36,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Gulf Coast University earned it the #4 place for legal assistant/paralegal. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $22,777 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $39,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,777 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Houston Clear Lake one of the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $42,723. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #6 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Clayton State University came in at #7 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $40,792 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $36,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #8 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $21,963. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $44,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #9 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $24,375. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $54,201. Set against $24,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #10 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Peirce College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $15,060. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $47,341 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Peirce College earn a median of $46,406 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Global placed #12 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $49,036 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $41,375. Set against $49,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilmington University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $26,054. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $57,142 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Valley State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $21,500. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $40,778. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton came in at #15 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,742, with out-of-state students paying around $15,769. Students borrow a median of $30,708 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $48,269. That is a strong return on a $30,708 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University came in at #16 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo placed #17 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Students borrow a median of $27,605 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $35,554 early in their careers. Set against $27,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Eastern Michigan University placed #18 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $28,781. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $34,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #19 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $25,000. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $38,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Regent University placed #20 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $37,747. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $36,758. Set against $37,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University placed #21 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $15,986 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $50,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $25,258. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $45,549. Set against $25,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi College earned the #23 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,510 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $47,611 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,510 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Bryan University Los Angeles ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Bryan University Los Angeles is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,219. Students borrow a median of $38,746 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $26,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stevenson University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Stevenson University generally make around $46,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 530 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
