2027 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 66 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 Southeast Region
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
Leading the list is Central Piedmont Community College, our #1 best value for legal assistant/paralegal in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $39,663. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Petersburg College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $32,383 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $43,499 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,383 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $24,018 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $41,694 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #4 place for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $46,748. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnston Community College earned it the #5 place for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $41,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Indian River State College came in at #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College placed #7 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $18,116. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #8 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $9,616. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College landed the #9 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gadsden. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,368. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $34,710. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College landed the #10 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $12,950. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,782 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,950 median debt.
Midlands Technical College landed the #11 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $21,320 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $37,615. That is a strong return on a $21,320 median debt.
Horry Georgetown Technical College landed the #12 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Students borrow a median of $19,172 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $37,387. Set against $19,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $38,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Western Community College placed #14 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $36,245. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Itawamba Community College came in at #15 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Tyler Community College landed the #16 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Tennessee Community College earned the #17 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,766 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $11,406. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Southwest Tennessee Community College generally make around $43,592. That is a strong return on a $11,406 median debt.
Madisonville Community College came in at #18 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,985 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Madisonville Community College earn a median of $41,084 early in their careers. Set against $10,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pellissippi State Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Pellissippi State Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,770. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $8,951 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $43,816. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
York Technical College placed #20 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, with out-of-state students paying around $13,340. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $10,647. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of York Technical College earn a median of $27,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Crescent Technical College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Southern Crescent Technical College generally make around $45,062. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community And Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $11,611 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $46,993. That is a strong return on a $11,611 median debt.
Savannah Technical College landed the #23 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,330, with out-of-state students paying around $5,898. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $12,843. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Savannah Technical College earn a median of $37,386 early in their careers. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State College placed #24 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, while out-of-state students pay about $12,979. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,624. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. That is a strong return on a $14,624 median debt.
Western Piedmont Community College came in at #25 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Morganton, Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,650, compared with $8,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $11,999. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Western Piedmont Community College earn a median of $46,883 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,999 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 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
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 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.
