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Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

American Public University System stands out among affordable legal studies programs with graduates earning $42,123 annually, nearly $11,000 more than the next highest program at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus. This private for-profit institution charges just $9,104 net cost while delivering strong career outcomes in a field where federal agencies, courts, and legal support services employ thousands of paralegals and legal assistants nationwide. The cost spectrum spans dramatically from CUNY John Jay College's $3,046 net price to programs reaching $12,473, with public universities dominating the affordable options. Non-professional legal studies programs prepare graduates for roles as paralegals, court clerks, and legal assistants, supporting the 1.3 million people employed in legal occupations across America. Graduation rates vary significantly, from Mississippi Valley State's 22.1% to University of Central Florida's impressive 75.1%, suggesting that institutional support matters as much as program cost when choosing where to study.
50
Programs
$3,046 – $16,874
Net Price Range
$38,055
Avg. Program Earnings
53.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,046 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
2 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
3 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
4 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
5 $9,104 $8,400 53.2%
6 $10,017 $12,817 62.3% 88.4%
7 $10,082 $6,340 47.9% 94.7%
8 $10,089 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
9 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
10 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
11 $11,800 $7,513 37.2% 99.5%
12 $11,812 $7,912 22.1% 64.8%
13 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
14 $12,267 $10,110 47.6%
15 $12,473 $21,000 23.0%
16 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
17 $12,869 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
18 $13,164 $9,412 68.5% 97.4%
19 $13,172 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
20 $13,405 $8,487 44.1% 95.6%
21 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
22 $13,584 $14,694 56.9% 90.1%
23 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
24 $13,780 $7,566 28.9% 65.3%
25 $13,825 $14,965 85.3% 25.9%
26 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
27 $14,501 $11,700 48.8% 67.4%
28 $14,514 $7,992 29.6%
29 $14,582 $12,240 53.8% 76.4%
30 $14,590 $37,227 56.9% 75.6%
31 $14,693 $6,152 26.3%
32 $14,715 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
33 $14,922 $12,652 56.9% 80.0%
34 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
35 $15,001 $8,689 44.1% 94.9%
36 $15,113 $37,844 62.4% 89.5%
37 $15,355 $12,330 22.6%
38 $15,524 $7,995 31.9%
39 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
40 $15,770 $22,106 48.1% 85.9%
41 $15,898 $10,758 63.3% 69.0%
42 $16,041 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
43 $16,135 $36,650 54.7% 54.4%
44 $16,136 $8,455 41.4% 61.5%
45 $16,179 $32,300 68.1% 90.5%
46 $16,238 $11,484 50.0%
47 $16,547 $8,881 58.8% 70.2%
48 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
49 $16,780 $16,160 35.8% 87.4%
50 $16,874 $19,740 41.3% 74.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $11,000 earnings gap between the highest and lowest paying programs?

American Public University System graduates earn $42,123 compared to Purdue University Global's $30,409, likely reflecting regional job markets and program focus. American Public's online format may attract working professionals who leverage existing experience for higher salaries. The $21,519 debt difference between these schools also affects net career value.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in legal studies?

University of Central Florida combines a moderate $10,650 net cost with the highest 75.1% graduation rate, while Mississippi Valley State charges $11,812 but graduates only 22.1% of students. CUNY schools achieve 54-55% graduation rates despite their sub-$3,500 costs. Cost alone doesn't predict success rates in these programs.

Is attending a for-profit legal studies program worth the higher debt?

American Public University System graduates carry $30,518 in debt but earn $42,123 annually, creating a manageable debt-to-income ratio. However, Purdue University Global's graduates face $51,706 debt while earning just $30,409, resulting in a concerning 1.7-to-1 debt-to-income ratio. Private programs require careful financial analysis.

Does geographic location affect legal studies program value?

Texas schools like UT Rio Grande Valley ($6,500) and UT San Antonio ($11,234) offer mid-range costs in a state with growing legal markets. New York's CUNY system provides the nation's cheapest options at $3,046-$3,486, ideal for students targeting the dense legal employment in metropolitan areas. Washington's Tacoma campus balances $10,017 cost with $41,007 earnings.

What debt levels should students expect from affordable legal studies programs?

Debt ranges from CUNY John Jay's manageable $7,500 to Purdue Global's concerning $51,706, with most public programs falling between $14,000-$25,000. University of Washington-Tacoma offers strong value with $14,512 debt and $41,007 earnings. Students should target programs where annual starting salary exceeds total debt by at least $15,000.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.