2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Legal Assistant/Paralegal (Income $0-$30k)
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2019-2020, 9,938 people earned their degree in legal assistant/paralegal, making the major the 123rd most popular in the United States.
At the associate degree level specifically, there were 4,969 legal assistant/paralegal graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,082 and $17,678 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 181 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in legal assistant/paralegal. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great legal assistant/paralegal programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the legal assistant/paralegal program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
The paralegal school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k”.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Legal Assistant/Paralegal (Income $0-$30k)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Nassau Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Garden City, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 33 degrees to qualified associates’s paralegal students in 2019-2020.
Nassau Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $2,007 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Nassau Community College.
Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Nassau Community College
Out of the 181 schools in the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, El Centro College landed the #2 spot on the list. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s paralegal degrees to 82 students in 2019-2020.
El Centro College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for El Centro College is $3,454 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at El Centro College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Austin Community College District. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school awarded 33 diplomas to qualified associates’s paralegal students in 2019-2020.
Austin Community College District not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Austin Community College District is $3,134 for associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Austin Community College District Legal Assistant/Paralegal Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Hillsborough Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k. Hillsborough Community College is a fairly large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 35 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
HCC also took the #20 spot in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Hillsborough Community College is $3,203 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
Out of the 181 schools in the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Valencia College landed the #5 spot on the list. Orlando, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s paralegal degrees to 48 students in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k list, Valencia College has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $4,870 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Valencia College.
With a ranking of #6, Indian River State College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indian River State College is a public institution located in Fort Pierce, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 30 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k list, Indian River State College has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indian River State College is $1,402 for associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Indian River State College Legal Assistant/Paralegal Report
New York City College of Technology landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. City Tech is a fairly large public school situated in Brooklyn, New York. It awarded 16 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
City Tech excels when it comes to paralegal quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. It costs about $2,456 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend New York City College of Technology.
Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at New York City College of Technology
Suffolk County Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Selden, New York, and it awarded 22 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $2,632 for associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Suffolk County Community College.
Read full report on Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Suffolk County Community College
Houston Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Houston Community College is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 41 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
Houston Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $4,562 for associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Houston Community College.
Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Houston Community College
LaGuardia Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. LaGuardia is a fairly large public school situated in Long Island City, New York. It awarded 28 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
LaGuardia also made our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for LaGuardia Community College is $6,135 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full LaGuardia Community College Legal Assistant/Paralegal Report
Miami Dade College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 45 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
MDC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Miami Dade College is $4,471 for associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
Erie Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Buffalo, New York, and it awarded 38 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $3,146 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Erie Community College.
Read full report on Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Erie Community College
Oakland Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 22 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend Oakland Community College is $-51 for associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k. When an average net price is negative, it usually means that the student will receive more financial aid than it costs to attend the school.
Full Oakland Community College Legal Assistant/Paralegal Report
With a ranking of #14, American River College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. American River is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.
American River not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend American River College is $4,334 for associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
St Petersburg College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Clearwater, Florida, and it awarded 20 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for St Petersburg College is $1,454 for associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at St Petersburg College
Florida State College at Jacksonville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. FSCJ is a large school located in Jacksonville, Florida that handed out 10 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
The yearly cost to attend Florida State College at Jacksonville is $2,126 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Florida State College at Jacksonville Legal Assistant/Paralegal Report
With a ranking of #17, Metropolitan Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school handed out 19 degrees to qualified associates’s paralegal students in 2019-2020.
It costs about $2,894 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MCC.
Tarrant County College District ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tarrant County College is a large school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 34 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in this ranking, Tarrant County College also did well on our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Tarrant County College District is $5,225 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Tarrant County College District
With a ranking of #19, Reynolds Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s paralegal degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.
On top of its placing in this ranking, Reynolds Community College also did well on our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Reynolds Community College is $5,107 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Reynolds Community College
Georgia Piedmont Technical College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Clarkston, Georgia, this small public school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified associates’s paralegal students in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Piedmont Technical College is $5,477 for associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Georgia Piedmont Technical College
Manchester Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Manchester, Connecticut, this small public school handed out 17 degrees to qualified associates’s paralegal students in 2019-2020.
MCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” list. It costs about $6,570 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MCC.
Cerritos College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cerritos College is a large school located in Norwalk, California that handed out 16 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $3,407 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cerritos College.
Read full report on Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Cerritos College
Pima Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Pima County Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 17 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Pima County Community College District is $2,574 for Associate Degree Paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Pima Community College Legal Assistant/Paralegal Report
Seminole State College of Florida ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Sanford, Florida, and it awarded 38 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
Seminole State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Legal Assistant/Paralegal Associate Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Seminole State is $7,006 for associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Seminole State College of Florida
Atlanta Technical College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Atlanta Technical College is a small school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 7 associates’s paralegal degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $-757 for associate degree paralegal students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Atlanta Area Tech. When an average net price is negative, it usually means that the student will receive more financial aid than it costs to attend the school.
Read full report on Legal Assistant/Paralegal at Atlanta Technical College
Rest of the Best 28 in Best Value Paralegal Schools for an Associate For Those Making $0-$30k
Not only did these schools make the top 28 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Legal Assistant/Paralegal (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Legal Assistant/Paralegal (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Legal Assistant/Paralegal (Income $0-$30k) in the Middle Atlantic Region
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Legal Assistant/Paralegal (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Legal Assistant/Paralegal (Income $0-$30k) in the New England Region
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Legal Assistant/Paralegal (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
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Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Legal Assistant/Paralegal (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region
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Notes and References
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
Footnotes
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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