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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate’s Degree Schools

82 Colleges in the United States
3,307 Legal Assistant/Paralegal Degrees Awarded
$41,609 Avg Early-Career Salary

Legal Assistant/Paralegal degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their legal assistant/paralegal programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 530 schools to find the best for legal assistant/paralegal students.

What’s on this page:

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See the highest-ranked legal assistant/paralegal schools offering a associate’s degree below.

1

No school ranked higher than Miami Dade College this year for legal assistant/paralegal. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. About 34 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Miami Dade College in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from Miami Dade College earn around $40,782 in the first couple years of their career. Miami Dade College graduates carry a median of $12,950 in student loans. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for Miami Dade College

2

Palm Beach State College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. Palm Beach State College awarded about 14 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $46,622 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,000. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for Palm Beach State College

3

Des Moines Area Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ankeny. About 18 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from Des Moines Area Community College earn around $49,137 in the first couple years of their career. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Des Moines Area Community College

4
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 25 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Nassau Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $32,464 in their early career. Nassau Community College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Nassau Community College

5
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public university. About 25 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Broward College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Broward College generally make around $51,328. Students borrow a median of $13,110 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Broward College

6

Cuyahoga Community College District earned the #6 position for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. About 11 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Cuyahoga Community College District in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. Cuyahoga Community College District graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Cuyahoga Community College District

7

Austin Community College District ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Austin Community College District awarded about 20 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $46,216 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,125 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Austin Community College District

8

Tarrant County College District ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. There were roughly 23 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Tarrant County College District in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $38,404 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete this degree. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Tarrant County College District

9

Fox Valley Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Appleton. There were roughly 12 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Fox Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $44,020 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,319. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Fox Valley Technical College

10
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL

Edison State College landed the #10 spot for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. Edison State College awarded about 20 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Edison State College generally make around $52,597. Typical student debt for the program is $14,624. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Edison State College

11

Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Florida State College At Jacksonville awarded about 33 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $46,748 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,139 to complete this degree. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Florida State College At Jacksonville

12

Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #12 for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 26 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Lewis And Clark Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $41,313 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,602. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Lewis And Clark Community College

13

Edmonds Community College placed #13 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the suburb of Lynnwood, Edmonds Community College is a large public institution. Edmonds Community College awarded about 20 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Edmonds Community College generally make around $39,455. Students borrow a median of $15,531 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Edmonds Community College

14
Mti College crest
Mti College
Sacramento, CA

Mti College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Sacramento. There were roughly 25 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Mti College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from Mti College earn around $47,535 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,758 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Mti College

15

Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #15 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Milwaukee Area Technical College awarded about 20 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $38,325 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,296. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Milwaukee Area Technical College

16

Fresno City College earned the #16 position for legal assistant/paralegal this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. About 22 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Fresno City College in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from Fresno City College earn around $37,470 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,234. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for Fresno City College

17

College Of Lake County placed #17 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. College Of Lake County awarded about 16 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from College Of Lake County earn around $45,094 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from College Of Lake County

18

Central Piedmont Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Central Piedmont Community College awarded about 20 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $35,314. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Central Piedmont Community College

19
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA

National University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 12 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at National University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from National University generally make around $69,080. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete this degree. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for National University

20

Saint Louis Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Saint Louis Community College awarded about 13 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $31,842. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Saint Louis Community College

21

Hillsborough Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Hillsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. There were roughly 25 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Hillsborough Community College in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $39,517 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,036. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Hillsborough Community College

22

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #22 for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. About 29 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $45,915 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,427. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Northern Virginia Community College

23

Suffolk County Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Selden. About 10 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Suffolk County Community College

24
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College placed #24 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Harper College awarded about 11 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from Harper College earn around $43,980 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete this degree. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for Harper College

25

Portland Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Portland. About 21 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Portland Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from Portland Community College earn around $42,463 in the first couple years of their career. Portland Community College graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Portland Community College

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong legal assistant/paralegal education:

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28
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
29
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
30
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32
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL
33
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT
34
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI
35
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ
36
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
37
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
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41
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
42
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46
47
48
49
Midlands Technical College crest
Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC
50

These schools also stood out for legal assistant/paralegal:

Rank School Location
#72 Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN
#74 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
#85 Keiser University Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
#115 Rasmussen College Florida Ocala, FL

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for legal assistant/paralegal:

Explore the best legal assistant/paralegal schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Bachelor's Degrees in Legal Assistant/Paralegal
Master's Degrees in Legal Assistant/Paralegal
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View All Legal Assistant/Paralegal Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 530 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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