Cheapest Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) Colleges in California

UC Santa Barbara offers the state's most affordable path to legal studies at just $13,825 net cost, while private colleges like Scripps reach $38,802. This $25,000 gap reflects California's dual-tier education system, where public universities leverage state funding to keep costs manageable. The state's massive legal sector, anchored by entertainment law in Hollywood and tech law in Silicon Valley, creates steady demand for paralegals and legal assistants. Graduates earn between $34,704 and $47,260, with UC Berkeley alumni commanding the highest starting salaries at $45,500 despite paying only $14,979 net.

Programs

$13,825 – $38,802

Net Price Range

$41,438

Avg. Program Earnings

78.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California	$13,825	$14,965	85.3%	25.9%
2	Fresno Pacific University Fresno, California	$14,317	$35,558	55.9%	75.0%
3	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$14,979	$14,850	92.9%	11.3%
4	University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, California	$16,607	$14,560	74.5%	46.9%
5	University of La Verne La Verne, California	$26,925	$47,000	65.4%	73.5%
6	Claremont McKenna College Claremont, California	$27,384	$64,150	95.2%	10.4%
7	National University San Diego, California	$31,058	$13,320	50.0%
8	University of Massachusetts Global Irvine, California	$31,601	$12,520
9	Pitzer College Claremont, California	$31,663	$62,692	83.2%	18.4%
10	Harvey Mudd College Claremont, California	$32,492	$66,255	93.8%	13.4%
11	Scripps College Claremont, California	$38,802	$63,434	87.1%	27.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge cost difference between public and private legal studies programs?

Public UC schools like Santa Barbara ($13,825) and Berkeley ($14,979) receive state subsidies that keep net costs low. Private institutions such as Scripps ($38,802) and Harvey Mudd ($32,492) rely on tuition revenue and endowments, creating price gaps exceeding $20,000.

How do graduation rates vary among California's legal studies programs?

Elite schools show the strongest completion rates, with Claremont McKenna leading at 95.2% and Harvey Mudd close behind at 93.8%. Meanwhile, National University graduates just 50% of students, reflecting its focus on working adults who face scheduling challenges.

Does attending a more expensive program guarantee higher earnings?

Not necessarily. UC Berkeley graduates earn $45,500 despite paying only $14,979, while University of La Verne students pay $26,925 but earn just $38,289. National University produces the highest earners at $47,260 with a net cost of $31,058.

Where do legal studies graduates find the best job opportunities in California?

The Bay Area offers tech law positions with companies like Apple and Google, while Los Angeles provides entertainment industry legal roles. Sacramento's government sector and San Diego's growing biotech industry also create steady demand for legal support staff.

More Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) Rankings

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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.