2027 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 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 Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal assistant/paralegal, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
Suffolk County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among legal assistant/paralegal schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #2 place for legal assistant/paralegal. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,563 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $34,675. Set against $14,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nassau Community College earned it the #3 place for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $9,000. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $32,464. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $36,358 early in their careers. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Camden County College earned it the #5 place for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $12,999. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $39,549. That is a strong return on a $12,999 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #6 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $9,668. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College placed #7 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College placed #8 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $34,799. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Erie Community College came in at #9 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $14,894 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Set against $14,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery College placed #10 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Prince Georges Community College came in at #11 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $13,949. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $56,960. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
Schenectady County Community College earned the #12 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,190, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.
Lehigh Carbon Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $39,957. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.
Harford Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, compared with $8,832 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $12,624. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $50,636. That is a strong return on a $12,624 median debt.
The Community College Of Baltimore County earned the #15 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,038 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $52,440. That is a strong return on a $18,038 median debt.
Dutchess Community College landed the #16 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Students from in state pay about $5,670 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. Students borrow a median of $11,836 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Dutchess Community College earn a median of $32,978 early in their careers. Set against $11,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ocean County College placed #17 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, while out-of-state students pay about $6,970. Students borrow a median of $13,792 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $41,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #18 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $11,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $43,322. That is a strong return on a $11,154 median debt.
Rockland Community College landed the #19 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $11,167. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $41,799. Set against $11,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #20 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Students borrow a median of $20,812 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,812 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $18,900. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.
Herkimer County Community College placed #22 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $16,400 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Herkimer County Community College earn a median of $31,468 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,400 median debt.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #23 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,337 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $40,240 early in their careers. Set against $13,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anne Arundel Community College earned the #24 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,322, compared with $11,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. Set against $13,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Allegheny County came in at #25 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for legal assistant/paralegal this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
