2026 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate’s Degree Schools

1

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Our analysis ranked Fresno City College the best value for a degree in legal assistant/paralegal in the United States. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Florida State College At Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $9,776. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

A rank of #4 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.

5

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #5 place for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $35,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.

6

West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College came in at #6 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,308. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College came in at #7 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.

8

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #8 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.

9

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College placed #9 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College landed the #10 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,353. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $29,569. That is a strong return on a $14,353 median debt.

11

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College landed the #11 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College came in at #12 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $17,294 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $33,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,294 median debt.

13

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $11,196. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College placed #14 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.

15

Metropolitan Community College Area
Omaha, NE

Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #15 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $12,799. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA

Irvine Valley College landed the #16 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College placed #17 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College placed #18 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $36,247. Set against $18,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

College Of The Sequoias
Visalia, CA

College Of The Sequoias came in at #19 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC

Trident Technical College came in at #20 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Alvin Community College
Alvin, TX

Alvin Community College earned the #21 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $8,600. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.

22

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College earned the #22 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College placed #23 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $35,667. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College earned the #24 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $14,083 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $42,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, FL

Hillsborough Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $21,036 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $39,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.