Most Affordable Online Master's in Legal Studies Degrees

A master's degree — especially one in legal studies — can open doors to more lucrative opportunities. Not only do those with master's degrees earn about 16% more than those with a bachelor's degree, but they also enjoy a lower unemployment rate.

However, students must consider whether the potential salary increase outweighs the degree cost. With some schools charging well over $100,000 for a master's degree, learners often turn to more affordable programs.

Many online master's in legal studies (MLS) programs cost less than $40,000 — and some schools charge only about $15,000 for the entire program. These low costs can result in a high return on investment, making the degree well worth the price.

An affordable MLS program can also provide nonlawyers with in-demand legal skills they can use in nearly any industry. For example, legal studies graduates often work in healthcare, business, finance, legal firms, and politics.

Discover the most affordable online master's in legal studies in the list below.

How Much Does A Master’s in Legal Studies Cost?

Degree costs vary by school and program length. EducationData.org lists the average cost of a master's degree as $65,134, but online master's in legal studies programs often cost less.

Students can expect to pay $350-$3,000 per credit or about $13,000-$67,000 for the entire program. Many schools charge a flat online rate for all learners, which helps keep these costs lower than average.

Factors Affecting the Affordability of a Master’s Degree

Most online master's in legal studies programs charge per credit rather than per semester, allowing distance learners to take 1-2 classes at a time. This approach helps keep payments lower and more manageable.

Other factors contributing to affordability include:

• Required Credits: The typical master's degree includes 30 credits, but some require more — especially if the student needs to complete prerequisites. Other programs may require fewer credits or accept professional experience, undergraduate courses, and certifications as credits.
• Location: Master's in legal studies programs can occur on campus, online, or in a hybrid format. Online programs typically cost less than the other two options, since students can save on housing, transportation, parking, and activity fees. Schools might also eliminate the higher out-of-state charges for online learners.
• School Type: Public schools typically charge lower tuition rates than private schools. For example, the University of Illinois Springfield — a public institution — charges just $366 per credit for its online master's in legal studies. Private schools like the University of Southern California charge nearly $3,000 per credit for the same program.
• Institutional Financial Aid: Many universities provide scholarships, grants, and tuition discounts to incoming graduate students. Law schools may also offer need- and merit-based scholarships exclusively for MSL and JD students.

How Do You Pay for a Master's in Legal Studies Degree?

Even the most affordable degrees still require a significant financial commitment. That's why many students depend on financial aid.

Degree-seekers typically start with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal grants and loans. Universities may also offer tuition discounts and scholarships, so applicants should ask about eligibility requirements.

Other options include external scholarships. Many organizations, nonprofits, and even employers offer scholarships for legal studies enrollees.

Scholarships for Graduate Students

Explore a few legal studies scholarship options below:

• Gorilla Webtactics Entrepreneurial Law Student Scholarship: This company offers $2,500 to students completing a law-related degree and planning to open a law office or firm after graduation. Applicants must submit an 800-word essay about their professional goals and challenges.
• Apply to Gorilla Webtactics
• Earl Warren Scholarship: The Legal Defense Fund offers $15,000 annually to full-time legal study learners passionate about racial justice. Recipients can also participate in an internship or research project.
• Apply for Earl Warren

Note that students may also apply for scholarships based on their legal studies concentration (healthcare, business, criminal justice, etc.). Other options include identity-based scholarships.

Select Schools With Online Master’s in Legal Studies Programs

Common Courses in Graduate Programs

On-campus and online legal studies degrees often emphasize compliance, human resources, and negotiation fundamentals. Students develop a broad understanding of the law.

Concentrations allow learners to align their degrees with their career aspirations. Some options include health law, intellectual property, and international trade.

See below for common courses in master's in legal studies programs. This is an overview — not all programs offer these courses. Learners should check with their prospective schools on specific offerings.

Contracts

Many law disputes involve contracts between two parties. Learners analyze contract fundamentals, including purpose, structure, and requirements. This information helps students identify problems and in turn help parties reach agreements. Other learning outcomes include recognizing breach of contract and avoiding ethical conflicts.

Legal Writing

Law professionals must know how to write and analyze legal documents. This course teaches research and writing best practices by assigning primary and secondary sources. Students engage with online legal databases and practice writing legal documents. Graduates use their skills to draft papers and give presentations.

Civil Procedure and Litigation

These courses cover the processes involved in holding a trial. Students analyze different procedures, such as pleadings, discovery, and jury selection. Coursework highlights pretrial and how different courts interact. These assignments help learners understand how lawyers and judges operate within the justice system.

Careers for Master's in Legal Studies Graduates

• Legal Consultants: While MLS graduates cannot work as lawyers, they can still work in a legal setting as an assistant or consultant. Legal consultants advise clients on things like contracts and negotiations.
• Politician: Anyone working in politics and government needs a thorough understanding of political processes and legal issues. Politicians can use this knowledge to draft laws and influence public policy.
• Social Worker: Social workers offer counseling, provide essential resources, and advocate for vulnerable people and communities. Whether they work in the public or private sector, social workers must understand the law to better serve and protect their clients.
• Criminal Investigator: MLS graduates can work in law enforcement agencies as criminal investigators, helping solve crimes and serve their community. A background in legal studies can help investigators better understand civil procedure and the legal system.
• Healthcare Administrators: Healthcare administrators handle the business side of healthcare, overseeing facility or department operations. They must ensure compliance, which requires an in-depth understanding of healthcare law.
• Compliance Officers: An MLS degree with a business law concentration can help students become compliance officers. These professionals ensure companies comply with governmental regulations and internal bylaws.
• Human Resource Managers: Human resource managers act as the link between employees and management. They oversee hiring, contract negotiation, unemployment compensation, and confidentiality agreements — all things that require an understanding of employment law.

Frequently Asked Questions About Legal Studies Degrees

Page last reviewed Feburary 7, 2024.