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Cheapest Legal Professions and Studies Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

The University of Illinois Springfield stands out with an $8,916 net price for Legal Professions and Studies, Other programs, making it the most affordable option among these 20 schools. This represents a significant savings compared to private institutions like Bay Path University at $37,227 in published tuition costs. Public universities dominate the affordability market, with 12 of the top 15 cheapest programs housed at state institutions. The earnings potential varies considerably, from $25,967 at University of Wisconsin-Superior to $36,560 at Humphreys University. The legal support industry continues to grow across the Midwest and Northeast regions, where many of these affordable programs operate. Courts, law firms, and government agencies in these areas actively recruit paralegals, legal assistants, and other legal professionals. Students can complete specialized legal training without the debt burden of law school, entering a field where median salaries often exceed the national average for associate degree holders.
40
Programs
$8,916 – $41,026
Net Price Range
$36,382
Avg. Program Earnings
60.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

40 Legal Professions and Studies, Other Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
2 $11,410 $14,760 50.0%
3 $12,791 $8,370 47.5% 85.9%
4 $12,905 $15,060 5.3%
5 $13,405 $8,487 44.1% 95.6%
6 $14,159 $14,766 64.3% 91.3%
7 $14,590 $37,227 56.9% 75.6%
8 $15,898 $10,758 63.3% 69.0%
9 $15,960 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
10 $16,496 $19,022 73.1% 66.0%
11 $16,531 $5,905 52.1% 88.9%
12 $17,424 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
13 $17,546 $9,772 46.7% 89.3%
14 $18,701 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
15 $19,279 $19,404 38.9% 34.0%
16 $20,360 $15,978 71.9% 70.5%
17 $20,549 $28,600 44.8%
18 $20,786 $33,275 35.4% 86.6%
19 $21,423 $25,900 55.2% 96.0%
20 $21,563 $49,758 65.1% 92.5%
21 $22,086 $16,065 60.0%
22 $22,270 $28,860 57.0% 61.5%
23 $22,978 $33,450 36.6% 59.6%
24 $23,678 $48,602 73.3% 69.2%
25 $23,987 $32,630 77.1% 66.7%
26 $24,825 $10,440
27 $25,133 $28,600 40.3%
28 $26,985 $50,110 68.5% 84.7%
29 $28,345 $8,886 55.9%
30 $29,219 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
31 $30,042 $49,944 77.3% 67.2%
32 $30,521 $40,880 72.9% 83.9%
33 $31,663 $62,692 83.2% 18.4%
34 $34,439 $24,136 44.2% 96.5%
35 $35,487 $51,340 79.8% 88.7%
36 $38,123 $42,666 66.6% 91.0%
37 $38,428 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
38 $39,184 $64,646 79.5% 34.9%
39 $39,207 $53,090 77.3% 83.8%
40 $41,026 $63,061 81.4% 51.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide gap between public and private tuition costs?

State funding allows public universities to offer significantly lower rates, with Georgia Southern University charging just $5,905 in-state compared to Bay Path University's $37,227 published tuition. Public institutions receive taxpayer support that subsidizes educational costs for residents. Private schools must rely on tuition revenue and endowments to cover operational expenses. The difference can exceed $30,000 annually between sectors.

How do graduation rates compare across these affordable programs?

Graduation rates span from 5.3% at Peirce College to 73.1% at New Jersey Institute of Technology, showing significant variation in student completion. Public universities generally maintain higher completion rates, with 8 of the top 10 graduation rates belonging to state institutions. Universities with stronger academic support systems and campus resources typically achieve better student outcomes. The 61.4% graduation rate at University of Illinois Springfield reflects solid student success despite its low cost.

Where do graduates typically find employment in legal professions?

Law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments actively hire graduates from these programs across multiple states. The $36,560 average earnings at Humphreys University reflect strong job market demand in California's legal sector. Court systems in Illinois, Nebraska, and Wisconsin regularly recruit paralegals and legal assistants from local university programs. Many graduates also find positions in insurance companies, real estate firms, and nonprofit organizations requiring legal support.

Does student debt burden vary significantly among these schools?

Reported debt levels range from $20,396 at University of Arizona to $27,000 at Ball State University, showing manageable borrowing compared to other professional programs. Students at schools with lower net prices typically graduate with less debt relative to their earning potential. The combination of affordable tuition and solid starting salaries creates favorable debt-to-income ratios. Most graduates can expect to repay educational loans within 10 years given typical legal profession salaries.

What factors contribute to the varying acceptance rates?

Acceptance rates range from 33.99% at Central Penn College to 95.6% at University of Wisconsin-Superior, reflecting different admission philosophies and program capacities. Private institutions often maintain more selective admission standards to control enrollment size and class composition. Public universities typically offer broader access while maintaining academic standards through prerequisite coursework requirements. Schools in competitive metropolitan markets tend toward lower acceptance rates than those in smaller communities.

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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.