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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the Southeast Region

32 Colleges in the United States
1,904 Legal Assistant/Paralegal Degrees Awarded
$40,116 Avg Early-Career Salary

Legal Assistant/Paralegal degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 147 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for legal assistant/paralegal students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the legal assistant/paralegal degrees they offer, see the list below.

1
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

No school ranked higher than University Of Richmond this year for legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 17 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $53,815. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at University Of Richmond

2

Miami Dade College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, ranking #2. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. About 34 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Miami Dade College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,782. Students borrow a median of $12,950 to complete this degree. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for Miami Dade College

3

Palm Beach State College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #3 spot this year. Palm Beach State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lake Worth. There were roughly 19 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Palm Beach State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $46,622 in their early career. Palm Beach State College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Palm Beach State College

4
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Broward College is a very large public institution. About 25 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Broward College in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from Broward College earn around $51,328 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,110 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Broward College

5

Florida State College At Jacksonville is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Jacksonville. Florida State College At Jacksonville awarded about 39 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. Florida State College At Jacksonville graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Florida State College At Jacksonville

6

Florida Gulf Coast University placed #6 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. About 57% of students finish within six years. Florida Gulf Coast University awarded about 67 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $39,824. Typical student debt for the program is $22,777. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Florida Gulf Coast University

7
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL

Edison State College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public institution. About 88 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Edison State College in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $52,597 in their early career. Edison State College graduates carry a median of $14,624 in student loans. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Edison State College

8

Northern Virginia Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. About 29 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $45,915 in their early career. Northern Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $17,427 in student loans. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Northern Virginia Community College

9

Hillsborough Community College earned the #9 position for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 51 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 $41,694 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,018. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Hillsborough Community College

10

Central Piedmont Community College earned the #10 position for legal assistant/paralegal this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. About 35 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $39,663 in their early career. 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

11
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Valencia College earned the #11 position for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public university. Valencia College awarded about 37 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Valencia College earn a median of $32,210 early in their careers. Valencia College graduates carry a median of $16,002 in student loans. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for Valencia College

12

The University Of West Florida ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 44 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at The University Of West Florida in the most recent year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $36,524 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete this degree. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for The University Of West Florida

13

University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #13 spot for legal assistant/paralegal this year. This large public university is located in the city of Hattiesburg. About 49% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern Mississippi awarded about 11 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $52,338 in their early career. University Of Southern Mississippi graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for University Of Southern Mississippi

14

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #14 spot for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 24 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $38,066 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

15
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. There were roughly 59 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at St Petersburg College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $43,499 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,383. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for St Petersburg College

16

Indian River State College placed #16 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. About 16 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Indian River State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from Indian River State College earn around $44,082 in the first couple years of their career. Indian River State College graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Indian River State College

17
Midlands Technical College crest
Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC

Midlands Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Columbia. Midlands Technical College awarded about 30 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $37,615. Typical student debt for the program is $21,320. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Midlands Technical College

18

Greenville Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 36 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Greenville Technical College in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Greenville Technical College earn a median of $39,026 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Greenville Technical College

19
Santa Fe College crest
Santa Fe College
Gainesville, FL

Santa Fe College landed the #19 spot for legal assistant/paralegal this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Gainesville. Santa Fe College awarded about 15 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $45,407 in their early career. Santa Fe College graduates carry a median of $17,558 in student loans. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for Santa Fe College

20

Forsyth Technical Community College placed #20 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. This large public university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. About 24 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Forsyth Technical Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. Typical student debt for the program is $16,702. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Forsyth Technical Community College

21

George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville placed #21 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Hanceville. There were roughly 13 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville earn a median of $40,017 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,146. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville

22

John Tyler Community College came in at #22 for legal assistant/paralegal this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. There were roughly 17 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at John Tyler Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $36,623 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from John Tyler Community College

23

Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #23 spot for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $43,341. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Tulane University Of Louisiana

24

Keiser University Ft Lauderdale landed the #24 spot for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 58% of students finish within six years. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale awarded about 61 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $37,559 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,234. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Keiser University Ft Lauderdale

25
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University came in at #25 for legal assistant/paralegal this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 200 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $43,713. Typical student debt for the program is $34,076. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for Liberty University

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

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28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Meredith College crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
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43
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL
44
45
46
47
48
Pulaski Technical College crest
Pulaski Technical College
North Little Rock, AR
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 147 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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