2027 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the Southwest 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.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the Southwest 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
For return on investment in legal assistant/paralegal, no school beat El Centro College this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $17,294. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $33,381 early in their careers. Set against $17,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #2 spot this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $38,404 early in their careers. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $10,655. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in legal assistant/paralegal will find it at Del Mar College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #5 place for legal assistant/paralegal. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College landed the #6 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $11,839. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #7 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $8,542. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College earned the #8 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College landed the #9 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $40,365. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #10 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $19,242. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,216. Set against $19,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College came in at #11 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $10,941. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Odessa College landed the #12 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College came in at #13 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Alvin Community College landed the #14 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.
Angelina College placed #15 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,430, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $7,828. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Angelina College generally make around $50,767. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
Rio Salado College came in at #16 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $13,679. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $48,564. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
Collin County Community College District placed #17 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $9,716. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $42,177. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yavapai College landed the #18 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $52,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College landed the #19 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $53,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College landed the #20 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,869. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $17,251 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $36,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #22 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $24,375 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $54,201. That is a strong return on a $24,375 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Phoenix College placed #23 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,679 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $42,374. That is a strong return on a $16,679 median debt.
Santa Fe Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,851 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,131. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Santa Fe Community College generally make around $51,935. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in legal assistant/paralegal:
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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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
