By OPD Staff
November 2020
Whether you’re an experienced paralegal professional looking to advance in your career, have aspirations of law school and practicing law yourself, or you’re a future paralegal looking for a great program, this ranking has some great options for you. The bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies is the highest level of education for paralegal professionals. This ranking of the top ten online paralegal bachelor’s degrees will help you determine which online paralegal programs will be your best value.
Ranking Methodology
To come up with our ranking of the top 10 best value online bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, we began by searching any and all colleges and universities which offer this degree. In order to focus our list, we included only those schools which offer this degree entirely online (though we did consider those programs with optional residencies or short on-campus seminars). Finally, to narrow down our list to just the 10 best, we studied each program and applied the following points-based system. Any ties were broken based on annual tuition.
Annual Out-of-State Tuition
$5,000 or Less — 5 points
$5,001 to $10,000 — 4 points
$10,001 to $20,000 — 3 points
$20,001 to $30,000 — 2 points
$30,001 and Above — 1 point
20-Year Net Return on Investment (ROI):
$250,001 and Above — 5 points
$200,001 to $250,000 — 4 points
$150,001 to $200,000 — 3 points
$100,001 to $150,000 — 2 points
Up to $100,000 — 1 point
Graduation Rate
90% to 100% — 5 points
80% to 89% — 4 points
70% to 79% — 3 points
60% to 69% — 2 points
59% and below — 1 point
1. Regent University
Online Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Total Points: 9
Annual Tuition: $18,620
Graduation Rate: 50%
20-Year Net ROI: $318,000
Regent University is an evangelical Christian university and as such does require students to take some courses on the Bible and Christian history. Graduates of this online paralegal studies degree have worked as legal assistants, legal aid advocates, judicial clerks, court administrative assistants, and litigation support analysts. The paralegal studies program is offered in affiliation with Regent’s law school.
2. Mississippi College
Online Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
Clinton, Mississippi
Total Points: 9
Annual Tuition: $18,800
Graduation Rate: 59%
20-Year Net ROI: $152,000
The paralegal program at Mississippi College is offered through the Department of History and Political Science, graduates of which have been employed by Bellsouth, the Hinds County DA Office, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, U.S. Army JAG Corps, and the U.S. Navy. The program covers subjects like civil litigation, wills and estates, family law, law office management, and legal research and writing. Note that students who are pursuing the B.S. in Paralegal Studies entirely online have only communications as a choice of minor, unlike students who are completing the same degree on campus.
3. University of Providence
Online Bachelor of Science in Legal and Paralegal Studies
Great Falls, Montana
Total Points: 8
Annual Tuition: $26,242
Graduation Rate: 38%
20-Year Net ROI: $277,000
The University of Providence (formerly the University of Great Falls), offers an online paralegal program that includes an internship and the ability to use electives to specialize in a particular area of law. Students must complete ten credits of legal specialty courses in a traditional classroom setting, so students not looking to reside at their school should inquire as to whether or not those ten credits are offered as an intensive.
4. Hampton University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies
Hampton, Virginia
Total Points: 8
Annual Tuition: $28,024
Graduation Rate: 55%
20-Year Net ROI: $273,000
The online paralegal studies program at Hampton University was designed to meet the needs of both those looking for a way to enter the paralegal field and experienced professionals seeking to enhance their credentials, or to prepare students to go on to law school after their undergraduate degree is complete. Students will take courses like law in society, contemporary legal ethics, real estate, bankruptcy, constitutional law, and will engage in a three-credit internship.
5. Eastern Kentucky University
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Science
Richmond, Kentucky
Total Points: 7
Annual Tuition: $19,948
Graduation Rate: 41%
20-Year Net ROI: $186,000
Eastern Kentucky University’s online paralegal degree program is approved by the American Bar Association. The program allows students to complete all but 10 credits online. Those ten credits can be earned during two on-campus intensives. These intensives will provide students with networking opportunities and in-person faculty interaction while refining skills fundamental to the paralegal profession.
6. Florida Gulf Coast University
Online Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
Fort Myers, Florida
Total Points: 7
Annual Tuition: $25,162
Graduation Rate: 46%
20-Year Net ROI: $208,000
The online bachelor of science in legal studies degree at Florida Gulf Coast University is designed to prepare students for either a career as a paralegal or for law school. The core curriculum covers contract law, torts, professional ethics, criminal procedure, and legal research and writing. Students can choose between concentrations in litigation, real estate, family law, criminal law, international law and wills, trusts, and estates.
7. Liberty University
Online Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
Lynchburg, Virginia
Total Points: 5
Annual Tuition: $22,747
Graduation Rate: 51%
20-Year Net ROI: $123,000
This 100% online bachelor’s in paralegal studies is designed to give students a firm grounding in ethics and a well-rounded legal knowledge applicable in government, politics, and law. All courses in the program are taught by practicing lawyers. Those courses include constitutional government and free enterprise, foundations of law, family law, and criminal practice and procedures. Career options immediately available to graduates include paralegal, legal assistant, claims adjuster, and law clerk.
8. SUNY College of Technology at Canton
Online Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
Canton, New York
Total Points: 4
Annual Tuition: $12,580
Graduation Rate: 47%
20-Year Net ROI: n/a
Graduates of this 100% online paralegal studies degree have worked in law firms, corporations, hospitals, and local, state, and federal government offices. The program provides access to a personal tutor and opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in an internship. Students also have access to a personal concierge, a single person who is responsible for answering any and all questions regarding the program. All classes are taught by the same faculty that teaches on-campus.
9. William Woods University
Online Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
Fulton, Missouri
Total Points: 4
Annual Tuition: $24,830
Graduation Rate: 54%
20-Year Net ROI: $12,800
The B.S. in Paralegal Studies offered by William Woods University can be completed 100% online. Because the degree program consists of accelerated, asynchronous courses spanning eight weeks, many students complete their bachelor’s in fewer than four years. Classes on estate planning, legal research, and evidence are all part of the coursework. A virtual practicum is also included as part of the curriculum.
10. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Online Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies
Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana
Total Points: 3
Annual Tuition: $30,500
Graduation Rate: 45%
20-Year Net ROI: $15,000
Private Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College offers a B.A. in Paralegal Studies which can be completed entirely online. Students complete coursework in subjects such as contracts, ethics, and theories of liability, to name but three. Elective options include courses on intellectual property and environmental law. By graduation, students are prepared to assist lawyers as paralegals and legal assistants.
What is a paralegal’s role?
The terms paralegal and legal assistant are interchangeable and defined exactly the same by the American Bar Association. The basic role of a paralegal is to complete the work delegated to them by the lawyer with whom they work. The tasks delegated to paralegals can vary greatly depending on the area of law and include preparing cases, organizing files, drafting documents, conducting legal research, and investigating cases. You will find paralegals working in all the same places you find lawyers including law firms, corporations, and all levels of government (especially the court systems).
Do I really need a bachelor’s degree?
The short answer is no, you don’t need a bachelor’s degree. But having one can make you more competitive in the field. Online paralegal bachelor’s degrees are designed build on the foundation of an associate’s degree, leading to a more sophisticated understanding of the law. They offer more opportunity to specialize in specific areas of law, giving students a competitive edge in those specializations. Specialized paralegals are an attractive option for law firms that specialize in a niche area of law (most firms have only one or two areas of focus).
Experience is highly valued by law firms. Bachelor’s programs often offer additional internship opportunities to students, especially those who have already completed their associate’s degree. The additional internship will provide you with more practical experience, which will benefit you in your job search. Many paralegals choose to work part-time in entry-level positions while completing their bachelor’s degree, increasing both their experience level and education at the same time while gaining the benefit of deeper and more specialized legal knowledge.
Paralegal career outlook and earnings information
The Bureau of Labor Statistics places the median pay for paralegals at $49,500 per year. An associate’s degree is still the typical entry-level education requirement. Bachelor’s degrees have many benefits, especially when it comes to career advancement, but an associate’s degree is still all you need to begin your career. The BLS estimates that there are currently 279,500 people employed as paralegals and expects this number to grow 8%, adding an estimated 21,400 jobs by 2024, which is as fast as the national average. The BLS expects that competition for jobs will be strong, and emphasizes the importance of the competitive edge possessed by formally trained and experienced paralegals.
Why you should earn an associate’s first
It’s highly advisable to earn your associate’s degree in paralegal studies at a community college. Community colleges are far cheaper on average than 4-year universities. Earning a full associate’s degree first will allow you to start working as a full-fledged paralegal after only two years of school. The way 4-year programs are structured, you may not meet the requirements for employment as a paralegal after only two years of study. Earning your associate’s first, and working as a paralegal part-time while completing your bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies online will allow you to gain the experience necessary to maximize your competitiveness in the field. Education is important, but law firms and companies also value experience.
Paying for your paralegal bachelor’s
Paying for your bachelor’s degree is quite similar to paying for the associate’s degree, though it’s more expensive than an associate’s from a community college, and more likely to require you to take out student loans. Federal grants and student loans obtained through a FAFSA application are still the gold standard for paying for your bachelor’s degree This should be the first option you explore. Remember that even if you’re not living in dorms and taking the programs online, the grants, scholarships, and student loans can help you pay for living expenses. If you enroll in a school in your state, remember to explore the state-level resources. Scholarships and grants from your state are valuable resources. If you did well in community college and have a good GPA, make sure you investigate merit-based scholarships that might be available to you. Your school’s financial aid office should have some great resources to help you research your options.
Other Rankings of Interest:
50 Most Affordable Online Paralegal Degree Programs
The 19 Cheapest ABA Approved Online Paralegal Programs
