2026 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in New York
[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.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in New York
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
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #1 spot for value among legal assistant/paralegal schools in New York. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $14,563. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $34,675 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,563 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suffolk County Community College earned it the #2 place for legal assistant/paralegal. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in legal assistant/paralegal will find it at Nassau Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $9,000. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $32,464. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in legal assistant/paralegal will find it at Cuny Laguardia Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Erie Community College earned it the #5 place for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,894 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College placed #6 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $34,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bryant And Stratton College Online placed #8 among the best values for legal assistant/paralegal. Bryant And Stratton College Online is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Orchard Park. 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. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Online earn a median of $33,698 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,742, with out-of-state students paying around $15,769. Students borrow a median of $30,708 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Canton generally make around $48,269. Set against $30,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Plaza College came in at #10 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Plaza College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Forest Hills. Students from in state pay about $15,450 in tuition and fees. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $29,454. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 30% of applicants are accepted.
Marist College came in at #11 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,620. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $26,000. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Marist College earn a median of $41,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marist College admits about 56% of applicants.
More Legal Assistant/Paralegal Rankings
View All Legal Assistant/Paralegal Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
