Interested in all things related to the law and justice system? Enjoy researching, writing, and investigating? Here are the Best Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal Degrees!
Not to be overshadowed by lawyers, paralegals are an important part of our country’s justice system. In fact, if you love the idea of hunting down facts or you have a passion for getting to the bottom of puzzles, then Paralegal Studies may be the perfect fit for you. Paralegals must be very organized, responsible, and have great time management skills to succeed.
See our methodology page for a detailed explanation of the data we use and how we apply them to our rankings.
What is a Paralegal degree?
A paralegal degree will prepare you for all types of legal work. You’ll learn the ins and outs of the justice system as well as how to properly run and manage a law office. While most paralegals work for law offices, a paralegal degree can lead to jobs in corporate legal departments, government agencies, and more.
As a paralegal, you’ll be given assignments by lawyers who will rely on you to research case files and prepare for court cases. You may be asked to speak with certain clients, appear in court, and more. A paralegal degree can also prepare you for law school if that’s something you’re considering.
Consider a broader degree for your bachelor’s, then a more focused master’s program. For instance, a Criminal Justice degree will give you a solid base for future specialties.
How much can you earn with a Paralegal degree?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn, on average, upwards of $50,000 per year. Of course, your salary will really depend on where and in what industry you choose to work. Top-earning sectors for paralegal work include federal government, finance and insurance, local government, and legal services.
The good news is that paralegal jobs are plentiful. In fact, employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 15 percent from now to 2026. Formally trained paralegals with strong computer and database management skills will have the best job prospects.
What are the best Paralegal degrees?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.
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Peirce College
20-Year ROI$935,719
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $14,400(in state) / $14,400(out of state)
- New accelerated online courses start almost every month
- Access your courses at any time, from anywhere you can get online
- All of Peirce’s on-campus support services are also available online
School Wide
Program Level
100%OSR ScoreThe 121-credit Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies at Peirce College is perfect for those who wish to work for major law firms, corporate offices, and more. While most courses are available online, all undergraduate students must complete four on-campus foundational classes. Required courses may include Legal Technology, Estate Law, Tort Law, Contract Law, and more.
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Liberty University
20-Year ROI$718,609
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $15,734(in state) / $15,734(out of state)
- Courses are just eight weeks long
- Up to 75% credits can be transferred to Liberty
- Students typically complete this program in 3.5 years
School Wide
Program Level
90%OSR ScoreLiberty University’s 120-credit Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies degree is offered 100% online through the School of Law. Required courses may include Tort Law, Legal Writing, Real Estate Transactions and Property, and more. If you or a family member is in the military, you’ll enjoy eight-week courses, eight different start dates each year, and no set login times.
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Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
20-Year ROI$638,669
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $29,510(in state) / $29,510(out of state)
- No application fee
- Consistently ranked among the top online paralegal programs
- 90% of graduates land a job right when they graduate
School Wide
Program Level
85%OSR ScoreThrough its Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, Woods Online now offers a 51-credit major in Paralegal Studies. Required courses may include Law, Ethics, and Society, Legal Communication, Computers in the Law, and more. All online students must also complete a Legal Practicum with a lawyer or in a law-related office under the supervision of a lawyer with approval of the paralegal coordinator.
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Mississippi College
20-Year ROI$760,969
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $16,400(in state) / $16,400(out of state)
- There is no need to visit campus at any point
- All students pay same tuition rate regardless of residency
- U.S. News and World Report ranks MC fourth for Best Value Colleges
School Wide
Program Level
83%OSR ScoreMississippi College now offers an online Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies through its Department of History and Political Science. Required courses may include Civil Litigation, Family Law, Law Office Management, and more. Online students are encouraged to participate in Pi Gamma Mu, the national honor society that seeks to improve scholarship in the social studies.
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Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $5,180(in state) / $15,968(out of state)
- Internet-only students do not pay any out of state fees
- NSU’s Counseling and Center Services Center is available to all students
- Flexible courses are offered in 8-week sessions during the fall and spring
School Wide
Program Level
82%OSR ScoreNorthwestern State University of Louisiana now offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Pre Law and Paralegal Studies. The concentration is a seven-course, 21-hour program offered through the Department of Criminal Justice, History, and Social Sciences. Full-time law enforcement or public safety officers, which include firemen and EMS personnel, are eligible for a fee reduction for a portion of tuition for this program.
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Brandman University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $12,000(in state) / $12,000(out of state)
- Online tuition is a set fee per credit for all students
- All books and materials are included and provided electronically
- Benefit from instructors who currently work in their field of expertise
School Wide
Program Level
82%OSR ScoreThe online Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, Paralegal Profession at Brandman University requires students to complete a minimum of 120 semester units. Core requirements may include Legal Research and Writing, Constitutional Governance, and more. All students must also complete 42 hours of General Education requirements and 12 hours within the Paralegal Profession Concentration.
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Hampton University
20-Year ROI$882,053
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $22,630(in state) / $22,630(out of state)
- Courses are just eight weeks long
- Online classes are not held at a specific time
- Accepts prior coursework, military training, and life experience for credit
School Wide
Program Level
81%OSR ScoreThe Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies is a four-year, 122-hour degree program offered online at Hampton University. The purpose of this paralegal studies program is to combine specialized legal training courses with a strong liberal arts foundation. Required courses may include Law Office Management, Criminal Law, Legal Research, Law in Society, Litigation and Trial Practice, and more.
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Eastern Kentucky University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $8,996(in state) / $18,774(out of state)
- Graduate in as few as two years
- Included among “America’s Top Colleges” rankings
- EKU offers six start dates each year for your convenience
School Wide
Program Level
80%OSR ScoreEastern Kentucky University offers an online 120-credit Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Science. This degree can be completed partially online – all but ten hours can be completed online. Required courses may include Criminal Law Practice and Procedure, Estate Planning and Procedure, Litigation: Trial to Appeal, and more.
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William Woods University
20-Year ROI$719,927
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $22,450(in state) / $22,450(out of state)
- No application fee
- Flexible courses are offered in 8-week sessions
- Classes start in Aug., Oct., Jan., Mar., Apr. and June
School Wide
Program Level
79%OSR ScoreThe online BS degree in Paralegal Studies at William Woods offers hands-on experience as a paralegal through the program’s Virtual Law Office, Practicum requirement. Undergraduates must complete 42 semester hours in a 14-course sequence. Required courses may include Evidence and Fact Gathering, Family Law, Criminal Practice, Torts Law, and more.
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University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $14,350(in state) / $31,415(out of state)
- There is no need to visit campus at any time
- Online courses are taught by full-time faculty
- Tuition is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students
School Wide
Program Level
78%OSR ScoreThe University of Massachusetts Lowell now offers an entirely online 120-credit Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a Paralegal Option. Required courses may include Legal Writing, Criminal Law, Litigation, The Relationship of Law, Logic, and Ethics, and more. Courses are offered during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters for your convenience.
