2026 Best Value Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in North Carolina

1

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

For return on investment in legal assistant/paralegal, no school beat Central Piedmont Community College this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $11,861. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $39,663 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Durham Technical Community College
Durham, NC

Students looking for strong value in legal assistant/paralegal will find it at Durham Technical Community College, which ranked #2. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $20,408. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

Johnston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #3 spot this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $41,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

South Piedmont Community College
Polkton, NC

South Piedmont Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Polkton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Students borrow a median of $10,098 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of South Piedmont Community College earn a median of $39,321 early in their careers. Set against $10,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, NC

Students looking for strong value in legal assistant/paralegal will find it at Cape Fear Community College, which ranked #5. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.

6

Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, NC

Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #6 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates carry a median of $16,702 in student loans. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $38,094. Set against $16,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Davidson County Community College
Thomasville, NC

Davidson County Community College landed the #7 spot for legal assistant/paralegal value this year. Set in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,980, compared with $6,588 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $16,693. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Davidson County Community College earn a median of $35,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,693 median debt.

8

Coastal Carolina Community College
Jacksonville, NC

Coastal Carolina Community College came in at #8 for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Coastal Carolina Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,512, with out-of-state students paying around $8,656. Students borrow a median of $7,125 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $37,831. That is a strong return on a $7,125 median debt.

9

Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, NC

Guilford Technical Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value legal assistant/paralegal schools. Guilford Technical Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Jamestown. In-state tuition and fees average $2,320, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,501 to complete the legal assistant/paralegal program here. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Guilford Technical Community College earn a median of $36,124 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,501 median debt.

10

Meredith College
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College earned the #10 position for value in legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for legal assistant/paralegal graduates is $27,176. Early-career legal assistant/paralegal graduates make about $40,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.