2026 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in New Jersey
[Legal Assistant/Paralegal](/majors/legal-studies-and-professions/legal-support-services/legal-assistant-paralegal/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools.
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2026 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in New Jersey
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the legal assistant/paralegal degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools
Our analysis ranked Essex County College the best value for a degree in legal assistant/paralegal in New Jersey. 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. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Burlington County College one of the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $52,240 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Raritan Valley Community College one of the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $9,668. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bergen Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Bergen Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Paramus. In-state tuition and fees average $4,913, with out-of-state students paying around $9,294. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $17,720 in student loans. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $51,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montclair State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $25,286. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $44,369. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
