2026 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Legal Assistant/Paralegal](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-support-services/legal-assistant-paralegal/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong legal assistant/paralegal education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 89 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for legal assistant/paralegal students.
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2026 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in legal assistant/paralegal, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
For return on investment in legal assistant/paralegal, no school beat Suffolk County Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,563. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $34,675. That is a strong return on a $14,563 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Nassau Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $32,464. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in legal assistant/paralegal will find it at Essex County College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $8,858. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $36,358 early in their careers. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Burlington County College landed the #6 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $12,488. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $52,240. Set against $12,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $18,038 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $52,440. Set against $18,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,894. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Set against $14,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #9 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Montgomery College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Students borrow a median of $11,230 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $24,833. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College earned the #11 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $12,921. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $34,799. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,866. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $40,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Students borrow a median of $11,154 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn a median of $43,322 early in their careers. Set against $11,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bucks County Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $13,068. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Allegheny County ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $15,263. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #16 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,450. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.
Bergen Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,913, compared with $9,294 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $17,720. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Bergen Community College generally make around $51,280. Set against $17,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #18 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $13,337. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $40,240 early in their careers. Set against $13,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prince Georges Community College landed the #20 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $13,949. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $56,960. Set against $13,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montclair State University came in at #21 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $44,369. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Peirce College earned the #22 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,060. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $47,341. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Peirce College generally make around $46,406. Set against $47,341 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $20,812 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,812 median debt.
Wilmington University placed #24 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,630. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $26,054. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $57,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bryant And Stratton College Online placed #25 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the suburb of Orchard Park, Bryant And Stratton College Online is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,274. Students borrow a median of $21,930 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Bryant And Stratton College Online generally make around $33,698. That is a strong return on a $21,930 median debt.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in legal assistant/paralegal:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
