By OPDC Staff
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for paralegals and legal assistants are expected to increase a whopping 10% before 2029. This makes now the perfect time to pursue a paralegal degree, especially if you enjoy investigation, research, and have a strong desire to help others.
Of course, earning an entire degree is easier said than done. Becoming a paralegal or legal assistant requires specialized training. In many cases, employers expect individuals to have an associate’s (two-year degree) in paralegal studies. Fortunately, there are a number of colleges and universities throughout the United States which offer paralegal degrees that can be completed entirely online and at an affordable price. This makes earning that degree as simple as it sounds.
Methodology
For the purpose of finding the most affordable online paralegal degree programs, we examined 117 schools based on two- and four-year degree offerings in Legal Assistant and Paralegal Studies. We focused on only those schools which offer paralegal degrees via a completely online program.
Note: All tuition numbers were obtained via the college’s own website. Rankings are based on the estimated cost of the entire degree program for online in-state students and may include additional fees. All numbers are accurate as of January 2025.
Related:
- Cheapest ABA Approved Online Paralegal Programs
- Top Online Paralegal Degree Programs
- 30 Great Free Online Courses for Paralegals
1. Ashworth College
Online Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies
Norcross, Georgia
Estimated Program Cost: $7,054
Georgia-based Ashworth College offers a 100% online associate’s degree in paralegal studies. The affordable degree program consists of 60 credits, and can be completed in as few as 16 months. Coursework includes legal research and writing, business law, law office management, and torts, among other important subjects.
2. McNeese State University
Online Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Estimated Program Cost: $2,495
Future paralegals will be ready and prepared to work in the legal profession once they complete the online A.A. in Paralegal Studies that is offered by McNeese State University. The degree program spans 64 credits, and includes coursework in litigation, family practice, and legal writing and research, to name but three subjects. Completion of a seminar and an internship are also required before graduation. Uniquely, students in McNeese’s online paralegal program have the option to tailor their degree towards Family Law Practice, Probate Practice and Procedure, and Estate Planning and Procedure.
3. Clovis Community College
Online Associate of Applied Science in Legal Assistant Studies (Paralegal)
School Profile
Clovis, New Mexico
Tuition: $48/credit
Clovis Community College trains students through instruction from broad-based perspective in various areas of law, which prepares students for entry-level employment in the legal field. The school offers an Association of Applied Science Degree program in Legal Assistant Studies that presents courses entirely online. Topics covered include Criminal Law, Criminal Procedures, Family Law, Real Estate Law, and Torts and Practice. Clovis awards approximately 43 percent of its undergraduates some form of grant or scholarship aid. The institution takes pride in offering high scholarship and grant award monies that do not need to be repaid.
4. Tallahassee Community College
Online Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies
School Profile
Tallahassee, Florida
Estimated Program Cost: $6,545
Affordable online paralegal degrees have become essential in lowering the burden of debt upon graduation. Thankfully, community colleges and state universities are providing access to low-cost education. Tallahassee Community College is one such school that offers low tuition rates and fees for those interested in studying Paralegal and Legal Studies. The program is offered through the Division of Technology and Professional Programs, and requires 64 credit hours to complete. The program is highly affordable. In fact, U.S. News and World Report states that 62 percent of undergraduates attending Tallahassee Community College were awarded some form of scholarship or grant aid that did not require repayment.
5. Yavapai College
Online Associate of Applied Science – Paralegal Studies
School Profile
Prescott, Arizona
Tuition: $108-$162/credit
Yavapai College, located in Prescott, Arizona, offers an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies. The program is designed to prepare students for work as paralegals in various legal fields. While students may obtain employment upon graduation, the program also prepares students to transfer to four-year degree granting institutions. Some graduates of the program have even gone on to law school after earning a baccalaureate degree. To make the program affordable, Yavapai College awards 36 percent of undergraduates grant or scholarship aid.
6. Mohave Community College
Online Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal
School Profile
Kingman, Arizona
Tuition: $91/credit
The Paralegal Studies program at Mohave Community College in Kingman, Arizona is a fully comprehensive program designed to prepare students for entry-level careers as paralegals. Graduates of the program find employment in various areas of the law. Positions include court clerks, government legal workers, title examiners, or law firm administrators. The AAS degree in Paralegal Studies covers course topics such as Criminal Law, Family Law, Legal Research and Writing, and Torts. According to U.S. News and World Report, Mohave presents scholarships and grants to 52 percent of undergraduates attending the school. The institution prides itself on decreasing education costs.
7. Holmes Community College
Online Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Technology
School Profile
Goodman, Mississippi
Tuition: $1,450
Holmes Community College offers an online Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Technology. The program blends legal studies with contemporary technology commonly used in the legal system. The program prepares students to become entry-level paralegals with a unique skill set and drive to succeed on the job. All classes are provided online through voice podcasts, which offers students abbreviated lectures. Faculty members are working professionals with years of experience working in the legal field. The school offers an active student club for paralegal studies students known as Holmes Association of Legal Studies (HALS). The program is highly affordable and recognized as one of the best value degrees in Mississippi.
8. Western Piedmont Community College
Online Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Technology
School Profile
Morgantown, North Carolina
Estimated Program Cost: $8,094
An affordable paralegal online degree is available at Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton, North Carolina. The program is designed to prepare students with coursework and knowledge that leads to a two-year Paralegal Technology degree. Graduates of the program are trained to assist licensed attorneys in various areas of law, including investigations, trials, research, and office management. Coursework covers topics such as family law, real estate, and torts. According to U.S. News and World Report, approximately 81 percent of the school’s undergraduates receive scholarship or grant aid to pay for tuition.
9. Itawamba Community College
Online Associate in Paralegal Technology
School Profile
Fulton, Mississippi
Tuition: $1,550
Itawamba Community College offers an online Associate’s degree in Paralegal Technology that is designed to prepare students to work in various areas of the legal field. The program provides extensive training in civil litigation, family law, legal research and writing methods, and other legal areas. Upon graduation, students are eligible to pursue full-time employment as a paralegal or transfer to a four-year institution for further education. The school offers substantial financial aid packages, making undergraduate tuition and fees highly affordable. U.S. News and World Report indicates that 79 percent of undergraduates at Itawamba receive grant or scholarship aid that does not require repayment.
10. Columbus Technical College
Online Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
School Profile
Columbus, Georgia
Tuition: $183/credit
For students looking for an affordable online paralegal associates degree, Columbus Technical College is a top choice, especially for individuals living in Georgia. The school offers a unique program course selection that allows students to choose their electives based on career goals and interests. The program is also highly affordable, especially for those living in-state. Typical course topics include Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure, Law Office Management, Public Speaking, and Tort Law. In U.S. News and World Report’s Paying for Community College publication, Columbus Technical is listed as providing 87 percent of its undergraduates with grant and scholarship aid money.
11. Northwest Mississippi Community College
Online Paralegal Technology Associate’s Degree
School Profile
Senatobia, Mississippi
Tuition: $1,700/semester
The unique paralegal studies program at Northwest Mississippi Community College combines legal technology with paralegal courses. The program is designed to prepare students for entry into the legal job market immediately following graduation. Students are also prepared to transfer to a four-year institution. The paralegal curriculum is in accordance with the standards set forth by the American Bar Association guidelines. In fact, area legal professionals routinely review the curricula to ensure compliance. The school actively promotes affordability of its education. U.S. News and World Report states that the school provides scholarship and grant aid to approximately 76 percent of undergraduates.
12. Colorado Mountain College
Online Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
School Profile
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Tuition: $104/credit
Students searching for affordable online paralegal degree programs desire strong academics that prepare them for employment or the ability to transfer to a four-year university or college. Colorado Mountain College offers an AAS degree in Paralegal Studies that not only meets the above criteria, but is also affordable. The program provides fundamental and substantive knowledge in the most common legal fields, such as contract law, family law, and torts. Students learn how the legal system works at both the civil and criminal level. CNN/Money ranks Colorado Mountain College in the Top 20 Nationally Recognized Schools for Value and Student Success.
13. Hutchinson Community College
Online Associate of Applied Science Paralegal/Legal Assistant
School Profile
Hutchinson, Kansas
Tuition: $3,072
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, earning affordable online paralegal degrees from accredited institutions may yield promising employment, as the job outlook for paralegals increases 17 percent faster than the national average. Hutchinson Community College offers an online AAS Paralegal degree program that readies students for careers as legal professionals. Course topics include Business Law, Family Law, Legal Ethics, Personal Injury and Civil Wrongs, and Small Business Accounting. The program combines business and law courses that provide students with a skill set to succeed. To provide affordable education, the school offers grant and scholarship aid to over 45 percent of its undergraduates.
14. Mountain Empire Community College
Online Associate of Applied Science Paralegal Studies
School Profile
Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Tuition: $6,676
Mountain Empire Community College is a two-year college located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. The college offers an extensive distance-learning program that serves students from around the state. A popular online program at the community college is Paralegal Studies, which offers an Associate of Applied Science degree pathway. Students are prepared to enter the legal field and work under direct supervision of an attorney, in various areas of the law. To make attendance affordable, the school offers grant and scholarship aid to approximately 58 percent of undergraduates.
15. Navarro College
Online Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
School Profile
Corsicana, Texas
Tuition and Fees: $236
The highly affordable paralegal online degree program offered at Navarro College prepares students to work under direct supervision of attorneys in various legal fields and practices. The degree program may be completed in two years, although students have the option of early completion. Typical course topics include Business Organizations, Criminal Law and Procedure, Introduction to Law, Law Office Management, and Wills, Trusts and Probate Administration. The program is approved by the ABA with coursework that leads to a convenient transition to a four-year university or college. U.S. News and World Report indicates that 54 percent of undergraduates attending Navarro College receive scholarship or grant aid awards.
16. Madisonville Community College
Online Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Technology
School Profile
Madisonville, Kentucky
Tuition: $189/credit
Affordable online paralegal degrees are found in a variety of community colleges; however, one of the most affordable programs in Kentucky is located at Madisonville Community College. The unique program design combines paralegal studies with technology, and the curriculum meets the standards developed by the National Association of Legal Assistants’ Descriptions of Certified Legal Assistant Exam Sections. Course topics include Civil Litigation, Family Law, Real Property, and Wills and Estates. U.S. News and World Report states that 50 percent of undergraduates at Madisonville Community College receive grant and scholarship aid. The college is focused on assisting students to the challenges of raising money and reducing debt.
17. Tyler Junior College
Online Associate of Applied Science Paralegal Studies
School Profile
Tyler, Texas
Estimated Program Cost: $3,012
Earning an affordable paralegal online degree from Tyler Junior College lays the foundation for a successful career as a paralegal. Not only does the program prepare students with the required skills to succeed but the program is highly affordable. Students enter their first year of employment without feeling the burden of debt. According to U.S. News and World Report, approximately 49 percent of undergraduates at Tyler Junior College receive grant or scholarship aid. The average grant award exceeds the amount of undergraduate tuition. Students are able to utilize their grant award money for books and supplies.
18. Massachusetts Bay Community College
Online Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies
School Profile
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts
Tuition: $244/credit
For students interested in the pursuit of an online paralegal associate’s degree, the road to graduation does not need to be costly. Massachusetts Bay Community College offers one of the most affordable online paralegal associate’s degree programs in the state. Students take a variety of humanities, math and science, economics, and social science classes along with the required paralegal courses. Typical Paralegal Studies courses include topics such as Legal Research and Writing, Litigation for Paralegals, and Principles of Business Law. U.S. News and World Report states that approximately 46 percent of undergraduates attending Massachusetts Bay receive grant and scholarship aid.
19. Mount Wachusett Community College
Online Associate’s in Legal Studies
School Profile
Gardner, Massachusetts
Tuition: $240/credit
Affordable online paralegal degrees may be earned from some of the top-rated community colleges in the country, including Mount Wachusett Community College. Courses and programs prepare students for career opportunities as paralegals and legal assistants, as well as law school. Students participating in the program gain real-world experience interviewing clients, gathering research materials, and preparing documents for court proceedings. Typical courses include Estate Planning, Legal Research and Writing, Litigation, and Psychology and the Law.
20. Lake Superior College
Online Associate in Science in Paralegal Studies
School Profile
Duluth, Minnesota
Tuition: $184/credit
The highly affordable online paralegal degree program from Lake Superior College is designed for students intending to transfer to a four-year university following graduation. Courses are for students who plan to pursue law school, but are suitable for those interested in a non-lawyer path and legal profession. Program requirements include course topics such as Computers in the Law Office, Legal Ethics for the Paralegal, and Legal Studies Terminology and Procedures. A paralegal capstone is required, which may consist of the completion of a legal internship providing pro bono research and work with a legal firm or individual attorney. U.S. News and World Report indicates that 50 percent of undergraduates at Lake Superior College receive some form of grant or scholarship aid assistance.
