by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for legal assistant/paralegal students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal assistant/paralegal degrees they offer, see the list below.
Inver Hills Community College earned the #1 spot for value among legal assistant/paralegal schools in Minnesota. Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $24,521. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $49,694. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Hennepin Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $18,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $48,780. Set against $18,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in legal assistant/paralegal will find it at Rasmussen College Minnesota, which ranked #3. Set in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $28,336 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $37,457. Set against $28,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hamline University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #4 spot this year. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,004. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $24,250. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Hamline University earn a median of $40,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.