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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Schools in the The Plains States Region

7 Colleges in the United States
374 Legal Assistant/Paralegal Degrees Awarded
$44,373 Avg Early-Career Salary

Legal Assistant/Paralegal programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools.

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

Des Moines Area Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in legal assistant/paralegal. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Des Moines Area Community College awarded about 31 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $49,137. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Des Moines Area Community College

2
Hamline University crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN

Hamline University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, ranking #2. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Hamline University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 49 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Hamline University in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $40,297 in their early career. Hamline University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Hamline University

3

Saint Louis Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Bridgeton. About 39 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Saint Louis Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $31,842 in their early career. Saint Louis Community College graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for Saint Louis Community College

4

Johnson County Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, ranking #4. Johnson County Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Overland Park. There were roughly 31 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Johnson County Community College in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $44,921 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,367 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Johnson County Community College

5

Metropolitan Community College Area is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in legal assistant/paralegal, ranking #5. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Metropolitan Community College Area awarded about 40 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Typical student debt for the program is $12,799. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Metropolitan Community College Area

6

North Hennepin Community College placed #6 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. There were roughly 22 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at North Hennepin Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $48,780 in their early career. North Hennepin Community College graduates carry a median of $18,625 in student loans. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for North Hennepin Community College

7

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #7 position for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. There were roughly 13 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $46,660. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

8
Inver Hills Community College crest
Inver Hills Community College
Inver Grove Heights, MN

Inver Hills Community College landed the #8 spot for legal assistant/paralegal this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights. There were roughly 17 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Inver Hills Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Inver Hills Community College generally make around $49,694. Typical student debt for the program is $24,521. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Inver Hills Community College

9
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University placed #9 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Webster University awarded about 20 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $57,152. Typical student debt for the program is $25,939. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Webster University

10

Missouri Western State University placed #10 among the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. Missouri Western State University graduates 39% of students within six years. About 15 legal assistant/paralegal degrees were awarded at Missouri Western State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, legal assistant/paralegal degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $41,107. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete this degree. Read more about the legal assistant/paralegal program at Missouri Western State University

11
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College came in at #11 for legal assistant/paralegal this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 20 legal assistant/paralegal students who graduated with this degree at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their legal assistant/paralegal degree from Kirkwood Community College earn around $41,681 in the first couple years of their career. Kirkwood Community College graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. See the full legal assistant/paralegal program report for Kirkwood Community College

12

Lake Superior College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Set in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Lake Superior College awarded about 13 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the legal assistant/paralegal program make about $42,543 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,156 to complete this degree. Get the full legal assistant/paralegal details for Lake Superior College

13

Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best legal assistant/paralegal schools. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. Rasmussen College Minnesota awarded about 64 legal assistant/paralegal degrees in the most recent data year. Legal Assistant/paralegal graduates of Rasmussen College Minnesota earn a median of $37,457 early in their careers. Rasmussen College Minnesota graduates carry a median of $28,336 in student loans. More information about a degree in legal assistant/paralegal from Rasmussen College Minnesota

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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