2027 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in Texas
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools.
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2027 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal assistant/paralegal, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in legal assistant/paralegal in Texas. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $17,294 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $33,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $38,404. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in legal assistant/paralegal will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $7,476. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #5 spot this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
San Antonio College came in at #6 for value in legal assistant/paralegal 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, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Amarillo College came in at #7 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $15,720. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College landed the #8 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. 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 #9 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $19,242 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $46,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Odessa College came in at #10 for value in legal assistant/paralegal 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, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $9,087. 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.
Lee College landed the #11 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $53,448. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College landed the #12 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $13,788. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $30,949. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College earned the #13 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $8,600. 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 #14 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. Students from in state pay about $3,430 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,490 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $7,828. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District earned the #15 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
Tyler Junior College earned the #16 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College earned the #17 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $11,290. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System ranked #18 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. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $17,251 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $36,678. Set against $17,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. 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. 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.
San Jacinto Community College placed #20 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. 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.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $42,723. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Navarro College earned the #22 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the town of Corsicana, Navarro College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,578. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $13,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Navarro College generally make around $38,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Center For Advanced Legal Studies landed the #23 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Center For Advanced Legal Studies is a small private for-profit university. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $19,221 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Center For Advanced Legal Studies earn a median of $33,486 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arlington Career Institute earned the #24 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Arlington, Arlington Career Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Median earnings reach $36,674 ten years out.
More Legal Assistant/Paralegal Rankings
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
