The cost of college doesn't have to hold you back from a career in law. Our Most Affordable Legal Studies Degrees ranking is here to help.
No two ways about it – the sticker price of college is intimidating. But don't let that scare you off. Your bachelor's degree could be more affordable than you think.
A bachelor's degree is a prerequisite for many roles within the legal field. Once you land that job as a paralegal, court reporter, or corrections officer, your degree – and master's degree – will pay dividends.
What kind of legal studies degree should you get?
When choosing a college, your first consideration should be finding a program that matches your career goals. Look for a degree that focuses on law school preparation, paralegal certification, or law enforcement training, depending on what you want to do after you graduate.
If you're not sure what your career will look like, don't fret – plenty of programs offer generalized tracks. Choose one of these broadly focused programs so that you can get a feel for a number of different aspects of the legal profession.
For other highly cost-effective options in undergraduate education, don't miss our ranking of the Most Affordable Online Colleges.
Accredited Online College Programs
Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.
How much money do people make with a legal studies degree?
The biggest factor in how much you'll earn is whether you continue your education beyond your legal studies degree. Students who go from an undergraduate program into law school will spend several additional years in school, but they'll earn much more at the end of it.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for paralegals and legal assistants is $50,410 per year. For lawyers, the median pay is $119,250 per year. A certified attorney can earn more than twice as much as a paralegal.
What can you do with a degree in legal studies?
The most common career path for legal studies graduates is to find work as a paralegal, or legal assistant. Many paralegals are employed in law firms, while others work in the legal departments of private businesses or in local, state, or federal agencies.
A degree in legal studies may also prepare you to work as a corrections officer, law enforcement officer, court clerk, and community services manager. Again, the specialization you choose within your legal studies program will be key in determining your potential career paths.
What are the requirements for a degree in legal studies?
Because this ranking focuses on distance learning programs, the most important requirement is consistent internet access on a reliable computer or laptop. You'll be completing most or all of your assignments digitally, so it's important that you're comfortable engaging with technology on a regular basis.
Outside of basic computer skills, the admissions requirements for these degrees vary widely. Some programs will want to see a certain high school GPA, or a minimum SAT or ACT score. Others don't have any specific cut-off scores and will review your application in a holistic way.
What are the most affordable online legal studies degrees?
To create this ranking, we focused strictly on net tuition costs. Data is sourced from individual college websites as well as U.S. News & World Report and the National Center for Educational Statistics.
Although affordability is the key here, academic quality is still an important factor. All of the colleges featured on our rankings are regionally accredited, so your degree will carry real weight with employers and graduate schools.
We wish you all the best of luck in your school search!
Rankings
See our rankings methodology page.
