18 Cheapest Online Accredited Degrees in Paralegal Studies from $79 per credit
Across various industries, businesses, agencies or organizations, there are professionals that serve as the pillars of various establishments. In terms of corporate legal institutions, paralegals are the cornerstones that play a vital role in taking the responsibility of researching legal cases, handling evidences, drafting legal documents and more.
What is Paralegal Studies?
Paralegal Studies is a program where students get to learn and acquire legal skills in researching legal cases, drafting legal documentation, handling evidences and data. A graduate in Paralegal studies will also develop fundamental skills in analyzing the collected data and evidences, management and communication. These crucial skills can further help graduates to pursue a career in a law firm where they will have the opportunity to work and assist lawyers.
Difference between Paralegal Studies and Criminal Justice
| PARALEGAL STUDIES | CRIMINAL JUSTICE |
| Individuals learn how to: Assist attorneys in researching legal cases.Handle evidences and data. Analyze the collected data. Draft legal documentations. Develop investigation skills. | Individuals learn about: The mechanics of the criminal justice system. In-depth study on criminal behavior.Policy making and corrections. Law enforcement. |
How long does it take to study Paralegal?
There are various levels of degrees that individuals can pursue to start a career as Paralegal professional. Each degree will vary in the time taken to complete the program. It can take a minimum of 2 years to complete an associate’s degree and up to 4 years for a bachelor’s degree.
Have a look at some of the degrees in Paralegal Studies:
| Degree | Number of Credits (may vary) | Duration | General Admission Requirements (may vary with college) |
| Associate’s Degree | 60-95 credits | 2 years | High School Diploma or GED equivalency |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120-180 credits | 4 years | Official High School Transcripts/Minimum GPA of 2.75 |
| Master’s Degree | 33 credits | 1-2 years | Official Bachelor’s Degree transcript with a minimum GPA of 2.5 |
What Paralegal programs are ABA approved?
There are a number of ABA approved online Paralegal programs that students can opt for across various states. An online degree option provides students with the flexibility of schedule where they are able to complete their coursework at the liberty of their desired location.
Completing a paralegal program that is ABA approved assures employers that the individual has acquired the necessary skills and training needed to be hired.
13 Online Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies
1. Dallas College – El Centro
Programs: AAS – Paralegal Studies
Credits: 60 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Financial aid: Available, with 81% of students receiving financial aid.
On acquiring an associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, graduates will learn to able to utilize their legal skills to assist lawyers in legal settings.
2. Edmonds College
Programs: Associate of Technical Arts – Paralegal
Tuition: $119.13/credit hour (resident); $306.92/credit hour (non-resident)
Credits: 95 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The college is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Financial aid: Available, with 52% of students receiving financial aid.
The coursework of the program encompasses a variety of topics on legal coursework that will help them to pursue a career as a Paralegal.
Edmonds College also offers the option for a transfer degree through the Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal.
3. Community College of Baltimore County
Programs: Legal Studies – AAS
Tuition: $122/credit hour (resident); $242/credit hour (out-of-state).
Credits: 60 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
Financial aid: Available, with 88% of students receiving financial aid.
An associate’s degree in Legal Studies at Baltimore provides the opportunity to learn about the impact of law on society, acquire research and analytical skills, and assist attorneys with legal cases.
4. Sinclair Community College
Programs: AAS – Paralegal Studies
Tuition: $136.03/credit hour (county resident) & 183.28/credit hour (out-of-county); $339.40 (out-of-state)
Credits: 61 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The college is accredited by the HLC.
Ranking: The college is ranked #16 in Best Community Colleges in Ohio.
Financial aid: Available, with 80% of students receiving financial aid.
Students taking up this program will learn about the professional legal setting with concepts in ethics and technology that are utilized in the legal field.
5. Madison Area Technical College
Programs: AAS – Legal Studies/Paralegal
Tuition: $143.45/credit hour (in-state); $215.18/credit hour (out-of-state)
Credits: 60 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The college is accredited by the HLC.
Ranking: The college is ranked #192 in Best Community Colleges in America.
Financial aid: Available, with 45% of students receiving financial aid.
A degree in the Paralegal Studies program will develop competency in problem solving, critical thinking, communication and written skills along with ethics and computer skills required in the legal field.
6. South Suburban College
Programs: AAS – Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Tuition: $152/credit hour
Credits: 60 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The college is accredited by the HLC.
Financial aid: Available, with 74% of students receiving financial aid.
The Paralegal Studies program covers a number of legal coursework, a few of which includes – fundamentals of paralegalism, business law, legal research and writing.
7. Phoenix College
Programs: AAS in Paralegal Studies
Tuition: $241/credit hour
Credits: 63-73 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). The college is accredited by the HLC.
Ranking: The college is ranked #5 in Best Community Colleges in Arizona.
Financial aid: Available, with 84% of students receiving financial aid.
An associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies will help students to acquire legal skills such as drafting legal documents, and familiarize them with concepts in business law and torts to name a few.
8. Middlesex Community College
Programs: Associate in Science – Liberal Studies (Paralegal Studies)
Tuition: $252/credit hour (resident); $505/credit hour (out-of-state)
Credits: 60-61 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The college is accredited by the NECHE.
Financial aid: Available, with 90% of students receiving financial aid.
The career-oriented paralegal program will help graduates to prepare for pursuing an employment as paralegal professionals.
Middlesex Community College also offers the option for a transfer degree through the Paralegal Studies – Transfer, Associate in Science.
9. American National University
Programs: AS – Paralegal Studies
Tuition: $276/credit hour
Credits: 92 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The university is accredited by the DEAC.
Financial aid: Available, with 100% of students receiving financial aid.
The AMU’s paralegal program is equipped with coursework that builds certain fundamental knowledge and skills required by paralegals in legal settings.
10. University of Cincinnati
Programs: Associate of Applied Business in Law & Paralegal Studies
Tuition: $288/credit hour (resident); $303/credit hour (non-resident).
Credits: 60 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The university is accredited by the HLC.
Ranking: The university is ranked #45 in Top Public Universities in America.
Financial aid: Available, with 85% of students receiving financial aid.
After completing a degree in the paralegal program, graduates will develop competency in legal research, analysis, evaluating the law and more.
11. National American University
Programs: AAS – Paralegal Studies
Tuition: $323/credit hour
Credits: 90.5 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The university is accredited by the HLC.
Financial aid: Available, with 50% of students receiving financial aid.
The paralegal program helps to develop skills in critical thinking, analyzing issues, solving problems and communication.
12. National University
Programs: AS – Paralegal Studies
Tuition: $370/credit hour
Credits: 90 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The university is accredited by the WASC.
Ranking: The university is ranked #33 in Best Online Colleges in America.
Financial aid: Available, with 100% of students receiving financial aid.
An associate’s degree in paralegal studies can help launch graduates in legal fields where they will be able to demonstrate competency in assisting attorneys through their legal skills.
13. University of Hartford
Programs: AS – Paralegal Studies
Tuition: $630/credit hour
Credits: 60 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The university is accredited by the NECHE.
Ranking: The university is ranked #9 in Colleges with the Best Professors in Connecticut.
Financial aid: Available, with 98% of students receiving financial aid.
The Paralegal Studies program at Hartford is well equipped to provide students with the skillset and education that can be utilized in a variety of legal settings.
4 Online Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies
1. National American University
Programs: BS – Paralegal Studies
Tuition: $304/credit hour
Credits: 180.5 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The university is accredited by the HLC.
Financial aid: Available, with 50% of students receiving financial aid.
A bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies will help students to further their paralegal career through the paralegal program coursework.
2. National University
Programs: BS – Paralegal Studies
Tuition: $370/credit hour
Credits: 180 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The university is accredited by the WASC.
Ranking: The university is ranked #33 in Best Online Colleges in America.
Financial aid: Available, with 100% of students receiving financial aid.
The Paralegal Studies program offers students with the opportunity to learn from a coursework that covers more complex legal concepts and theories that can help them further their career.
3. University of Cincinnati
Programs: Bachelor of Science in Law & Paralegal Studies
Tuition: $549/credit hour (resident); $564/credit hour (non-resident)
Credits: 120 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The university is accredited by the HLC.
Ranking: The university is ranked #45 in Top Public Universities in America.
Financial aid: Available, with 85% of students receiving financial aid.
Attaining a bachelor’s degree in the paralegal program will increase the opportunity for graduates to pursue a better position in the legal field.
4. University of Hartford
Programs: BA – Paralegal Studies
Tuition: $630/credit hour
Credits: 120 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The university is accredited by the NECHE.
Ranking: The university is ranked #9 in Colleges with the Best Professors in Connecticut.
Financial aid: Available, with 98% of students receiving financial aid.
The paralegal program coursework includes multi-disciplinary work which blends science, ethics, law and other disciplines for a deeper comprehension and appreciation for the law.
Online Master’s Degree in Paralegal Studies
1. Webster University
Programs: MA – Legal Studies
Tuition: $700/credit hour
Credits: 39 credits.
Accreditation: The program is approved by the ABA. The university is accredited by the HLC.
Ranking: The university is ranked #9 in Top Private Universities in Missouri.
Financial aid: Available, with 99% of students receiving financial aid.
The paralegal program coursework is designed to offer students with a deeper understanding of how the legal environment operates and to help them develop in-demand skills required in legal settings.
Why Paralegal is a good job
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for paralegals is fairly positive with a growth projection of 14% from 2021 through 2031 which makes it a fast growing occupation compared to the average occupation in the US.
The average base salary for a paralegal is recorded at $52,950 per year according to payscale.com. The annual wage can increase according to an individual’s skill and experience. Have a look at some of the highest paying paralegal jobs below:
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
| Paralegal Manager | $105,435 |
| Legal Manager | $83,237 |
| Senior Paralegal | $72,472 |
| Corporate Paralegal | $68,349 |
| Litigation Paralegal | $59,619 |
| Legal Assistant | $52,950 |
| Paralegal | $51,110 |
Source: Pay Scale
Is studying paralegal worth it?
Getting a degree in Paralegal Studies is definitely worth pursuing as it can launch you in one of the highly paying fields of profession. Furthermore, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has stated, the growth in paralegal occupations is projected to grow at 14% from 2021 till 2031. This makes it a good opportunity for individuals looking to join the paralegal line of work.
