2027 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Legal Assistant/Paralegal](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-support-services/legal-assistant-paralegal/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong legal assistant/paralegal education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for legal assistant/paralegal students.
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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
St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among legal assistant/paralegal schools in the United States. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $35,238 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #2 place for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,563. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $34,675 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,563 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Global one of the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $49,036. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $41,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $49,036 median debt.
The University Of West Florida came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $36,524 early in their careers. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Clayton State University one of the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. Students from in state pay about $5,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,532 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $40,792. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $36,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Western Kentucky University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #7 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $21,963. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $44,070. Set against $21,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #8 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $24,375 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #9 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $22,777. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $39,824. That is a strong return on a $22,777 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #10 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $36,159. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University earned the #11 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $40,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #12 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $42,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University earned the #13 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $57,142. That is a strong return on a $26,054 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton earned the #14 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Canton generally make around $48,269. Set against $30,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University earned the #15 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $49,660. That is a strong return on a $21,896 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Toledo ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University placed #17 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $15,986. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $50,101 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,986 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #18 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $38,981. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University earned the #19 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $37,747. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Regent University earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #20 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Bryan University Los Angeles came in at #21 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Bryan University Los Angeles is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,219 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $38,746. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $26,288. That is a strong return on a $38,746 median debt.
National University came in at #22 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,284. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $30,426. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from National University generally make around $69,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #23 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,258 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $45,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Stevenson University ranked #24 on our 2027 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,560. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Stevenson University earn a median of $46,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Stevenson University admits about 79% of applicants.
Liberty University landed the #25 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $37,652. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $41,973. Set against $37,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for legal assistant/paralegal this year:
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
