Why This Matters
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50% OF PARALEGAL JOBS REQUIRE AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE
Information provided from O*NET shows that half of paralegal jobs require an associate degree. Another 7% only require a certificate.
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4% JOB GROWTH FOR PARALEGALS
The demand for paralegals and legal assistants is expected to rise 4% by 2032, as law firms work to increase efficiency and reduce the costs of their services.
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EARN $59,200 PER YEAR AS A PARALEGAL
Trained paralegals and legal assistants earn $59,200 on average. The lowest 10% earn less than $37,690, while the highest 10% earn more than $94,960. Secretaries and assistants earn $44,080 per year.
Our Research
This list features some of the best online associate in paralegal studies degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary education. Many of the programs on our list have been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of law-related programs.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online associate in paralegal studies degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Why Trust Us
The Intelligent.com Higher Education Team is dedicated to providing students with independent, equitable school and program rankings and well-researched resources. Our expert-driven articles cover topics related to online colleges and programs, paying for school, and career outlooks. We use data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, the National Center for Education Statistics, and other reputable educational and professional organizations. Our academic advisory team reviews content and verifies accuracy throughout the year for the most current information. Partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial decisions.
- Analyzed over 2,000 national, accredited, and nonprofit colleges and universities
- 800+ rankings pages are reviewed and updated yearly
- Content is informed by reputable sources, surveys, and interviews with academic advisors and other experts
- Over 100 data points are reviewed for accuracy and quality throughout the year, including sources
How we rank schools
Our list features the best online Paralegal Associate degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 61 hours to write this article
- 172 universities and colleges we assessed
- 180 education programs we compared
Best 35 Online Paralegal Associate Programs
FiltersInstitution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
Keiser University
Intelligent Score: 99.86In-state: $19,808
Out-of-state: $19,808
In-state: $27,162
Out-of-state: $27,162
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$209
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60
Liberty University
Intelligent Score: 99.1In-state: $14,791
Out-of-state: $14,791
In-state: $7,935
Out-of-state: $7,935
SAT: 1040-1250
ACT: 21-29
$390
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60
Hutchinson Community College
Intelligent Score: 97.78In-state: $15,938
Out-of-state: $16,868
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-State: $124
Out-of-State: $155
Online
Higher Learning Commission
60
Iowa Lakes Community College
Intelligent Score: 97.76In-state: $16,558
Out-of-state: $17,006
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 1130-1340
ACT: 22-28
$214
Online
Higher Learning Commission
70
Hinds Community College
Intelligent Score: 95.74In-state: $12,150
Out-of-state: $15,200
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 1010
ACT: 20
Resident: $84- $118
Non-Resident: $157- $220
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60-62
Herkimer County Community College
Intelligent Score: 95.19In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$213
Online
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
63
Lake Superior College
Intelligent Score: 93.17In-state: $24,186
Out-of-state: $27,694
In-state: $33,618
Out-of-state: $33,618
SAT: 975-1180
ACT: 18-23
$183
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
60
Rio Salado College
Intelligent Score: 92.76In-state: $16,881
Out-of-state: $22,665
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: 720 or more
ACT: 12 or more
Lower Division Courses: County Resident: $97
Out-of-State: $253
Online
Higher Learning Commission
65-70
Umpqua Community College
Intelligent Score: 92.76In-state: $16,920
Out-of-state: $17,388
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
$115
Online
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
90
University of Providence
Intelligent Score: 91.42In-state: $26,462
Out-of-state: $26,462
In-state: $31,500
Out-of-state: $31,500
SAT: 830-1010
ACT: 16-23
$932
Online
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
60
Holmes Community College
Intelligent Score: 91.04In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$255
Online, On-Campus
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
62
Eastern Kentucky University
Intelligent Score: 90.94In-state: $9,266
Out-of-state: $19,338
In-state: $9,900
Out-of-state: $9,900
SAT: 950-1170
ACT: 19-25
$421
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
64
Atlanta Technical College
Intelligent Score: 88.75In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$183
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
69
Southwestern College
Intelligent Score: 88.72In-state: $33,100
Out-of-state: $33,100
In-state: $11,934
Out-of-state: $11,934
SAT: 870-1090
ACT: 17-22
$332
Online
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission
60
Tyler Junior College
Intelligent Score: 88.28In-state: $20,194
Out-of-state: $20,914
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
In-District: $259 Out-of-District: $416
Hybrid
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60
Madisonville Community College
Intelligent Score: 86.7In-state: $17,008
Out-of-state: $27,928
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: 16-22
$182
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
64-67
Eastern Gateway Community College
Intelligent Score: 84.86In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$131
Online, On-Campus
Higher Learning Commission
63
Itawamba Community College
Intelligent Score: 84.56In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
In-state: NA
Out-of-state: NA
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
$140
Online
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
60-61
What You Should Know About This Degree
Paralegals are essential to the legal industry. They need to be detail-oriented, have strong writing and communication skills, and be able to research and analyze legal documents.
It’s important to note the different legal paths to consider when exploring an education program and potential careers. A legal secretary or legal assistant has a similar focus, but the job tasks and course requirements are different. Secretaries and assistants typically perform routine clerical and administrative duties and, on average, earn less than a paralegal.
After you complete your paralegal studies and earn your associate degree, you can apply for the Certified Paralegal (CP) credential from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). Many people who want to work in the legal field will earn their associate degree in paralegal studies and use that as preparation for a career as a lawyer, mediator, or other legal specialist.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online paralegal associate programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Many paralegal and legal assistant programs accept students from a variety of backgrounds. Common requirements include a high school diploma or equivalency.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most students can earn the required 60 credit hours for their online associate degree in paralegal studies in two to three years. Once they earn their associate degree, they can apply for the optional Certified Paralegal credential, which shows potential hiring managers that they have the necessary skills and training to work as a paralegal or legal assistant.
Once you select an online paralegal studies program, you will need to keep track of your application and deadlines. You’ll also need to consider how to finance your associate degree in paralegal studies and find out if you qualify for any scholarships or employer-based tuition reimbursement plans.
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