Best Affordable Online Law Degree Programs
Looking to earn a bachelor’s degree and start your journey toward a legal career? Check out our list of the best affordable online law degree programs.
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At a Glance: BestColleges’ Top Affordable Online Law Programs
- #1: Northeastern State University — The program has over two dozen elective options in subjects like family law and litigation.
- #2: University of Central Florida — Florida residents can earn an online bachelor’s degree for under $200 per credit.
- #3: University of Massachusetts Global — This degree includes options to focus on business law or paralegal studies.
Law school is notoriously pricey, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank for your undergrad law program.
Many online law degree programs across the U.S. offer bachelor’s degrees in legal studies, which will prepare you well for entering the industry. Whether you decide to earn your Juris Doctor (JD) after your bachelor’s is up to you, but these baccalaureate programs can offer an affordable way to start your educational journey.
We considered net price and student outcomes to bring you this list of the best affordable law programs.
Top Affordable Online Law and Legal Studies Bachelor’s Degree Programs
How We Rank Schools
Northeastern State University
- Tahlequah, OK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $221
Out-of-State | $525
Credits to Graduate: 124
A public institution in Oklahoma, Northeastern State University stands out for its cheaper-than-average in-state tuition rate. The bachelor’s in legal studies program also offers a fully online route to an undergraduate law degree.
During the legal studies program, you’ll explore American law, civil procedure, and legal ethics. The major develops critical analysis, legal research, and writing skills. The curriculum covers important topics such as technology in legal environments and electronic legal research. You’ll also complete a capstone in law office operations.
78%
$ 6,285
64%
$15,270
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Students Enrolled
- 6,631
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $179
Out-of-State | $716
Credits to Graduate: 120
This public university charges a relatively low tuition rate for Florida residents. If you live in Florida, you can earn a bachelor’s in legal studies for under $200 per credit at the University of Central Florida.
Explore the legal system, international law, and business law as a legal studies major. You’ll learn how to research complex legal topics and write legal briefs. You can also add a specialization in public law, criminal law, litigation, or another field. And you’ll gain real-world experience with an internship and capstone project.
9%
$ 6,368
93%
$19,810
- Acceptance Rate
- 41%
- Students Enrolled
- 67,959
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Massachusetts Global
- Irvine, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $500
Out-of-State | $500
Credits to Graduate: 120
This private university offers multiple online degrees. The online legal studies program covers legal concepts while helping students develop critical thinking skills. Learners strengthen their legal research abilities while exploring the legal system.
Coursework also covers topics such as negotiation, arbitration, and dispute resolution. Students can also take unique courses like white-collar crime and trial advocacy.
Learners pay the same tuition rate whether they live in Massachusetts or another state at the University of Massachusetts Global.
99%
$12,000
19%
$12,000
- Acceptance Rate
- 93%
- Students Enrolled
- 9,798
- Institution Type
- Private
Bellevue University
- Bellevue, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $449
Out-of-State | $449
Credits to Graduate: 127
Develop critical thinking and reasoning skills with an undergraduate law degree from Bellevue University. The private institution offers an online legal studies bachelor’s degree, which explores the law and legal system.
If you have an associate degree, you can join an accelerated cohort and take one course at a time. The accelerated track encourages collaboration and networking. You can apply for Bellevue University scholarships and submit a FAFSA to qualify for additional financial aid opportunities.
95%
$7,560
72%
$7,560
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 11,902
- Institution Type
- Private
National University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Cost per Year:
In-State | $13,320
Out-of-State | $13,320
Credits to Graduate: 180 quarter credits
California’s National University grants online degrees as a private institution. The bachelor’s in pre-law studies offers foundational training for law school and other careers. You’ll explore complex legal issues and master legal communication skills during your study. The pre-law senior project helps strengthen legal research and writing skills.
With year-round enrollment and accelerated four-week courses, you can finish your degree in less time. National also prioritizes cost, connecting students with a financial aid advisor to discuss their options.
80%
$13,320
64%
$13,320
- Acceptance Rate
- 55%
- Students Enrolled
- 18,631
- Institution Type
- Private
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Adelphi, MD
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $324
Out-of-State | $499
Credits to Graduate: 120
Maryland students receive a tuition discount at the University of Maryland Global Campus. That can make earning a bachelor’s in legal studies even more affordable.
In the online legal studies program, you’ll explore American civil and criminal law. The major develops legal analysis and research skills through coursework in legal writing, litigation, and contract law. You’ll also complete a capstone to hone digital research skills while building a portfolio on professional practices in the legal field.
93%
$ 7,344
52%
$11,976
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 55,323
- Institution Type
- Public
Purdue University Global
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $371
Out-of-State | $371
Credits to Graduate: 180 quarter credits
Train for careers as a legal assistant or paralegal at Purdue Global. The online bachelor’s in legal support services emphasizes analytical thinking, legal writing, and communication skills. You can also add a concentration in paralegal studies.
During the program, you’ll learn how to research legal sources, integrate them into arguments, and apply legal theories. You’ll also explore legal philosophy, alternative dispute resolution, and business law.
Purdue Global prioritizes affordability with a flat tuition rate for distance learners. You can also save money with transfer credits and financial aid. Purdue also offers credit for military training and an international student tuition reduction.
100%
$10,080
75%
$13,356
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 43,458
- Institution Type
- Public
Hodges University
- Fort Myers, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $595
Out-of-State | $595
Credits to Graduate: 120
Take pre-law courses at Hodges University, a private institution in Florida. The bachelor’s in legal studies can prepare you for law school or diverse career paths.
You’ll take innovative courses in eDiscovery and eLitigation while strengthening your knowledge of legal terminology. Experienced lawyers teach courses in the program, bringing their real-world knowledge to the classroom.
With accelerated options and monthly start dates, Hodges prioritizes flexibility. Florida residents may qualify for the EASE grant, which lowers costs.
93%
$14,280
50%
$14,280
- Acceptance Rate
- 61%
- Students Enrolled
- 551
- Institution Type
- Private
Dominican University
- River Forest, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $490
Out-of-State | $490
Credits to Graduate: 120
Dominican University, a private institution in Illinois, charges the same tuition rate for online learners regardless of their state residency. The bachelor’s in legal studies offers an affordable, online route to a law degree.
Designed for adult learners, the legal studies major takes as few as 20 months to complete. You can receive transfer credits for courses you’ve already taken and tailor the curriculum with social sciences electives. Dominican uses an accelerated eight-week term and offers learning seminars to help distance learners adjust to the online classroom.
87%
$34,950
75%
$34,950
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Students Enrolled
- 3,195
- Institution Type
- Private
Keiser University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Cost per Year:
In-State | $22,936
Out-of-State | $22,936
Credits to Graduate: 120
You can prepare for a career in law or related fields with a degree from Keiser University. The private institution offers an affordable bachelor’s in legal studies, with the option to add a law office management concentration.
During the program, you’ll take courses in criminal procedure, legal research, and evidence. You can also gain hands-on experience with an optional internship. The program concludes with a legal studies capstone project.
You’ll pay an affordable flat tuition rate per year regardless of your residency status, making it easier to plan for your college costs.
50%
$20,800
68%
$20,800
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Students Enrolled
- 19,019
- Institution Type
- Private
Why the Cheapest Online Law Program Isn’t Always the Most Affordable
Affordability is a spectrum.
That means the most affordable programs aren’t always the ones with the lowest posted tuition and fees. A lot goes into what you’ll actually pay for college, including financial aid, program flexibility, and your living situation while enrolled.
A university may post cheap tuition, for example, but if it doesn’t offer the flexibility to keep working while enrolled, is it really affordable? If graduates typically earn low salaries after graduation, is it really worth the low sticker price?
The most affordable colleges blend low tuition with positive return on investment (ROI), making you less likely to be buried in unmanageable debt.
Benefits of Getting an Affordable Undergraduate Law Degree Online
The BestColleges 2025 Online Education Trends Report uncovered key insights into the benefits of earning a degree online, including:
- 97% of online bachelor’s students and graduates say they would recommend online education to others.
- 3 in 4 respondents say the online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.
- Just 17% of online students say paying for college while minimizing student debt was their most significant challenge while enrolled.
How Much Does an Online Law Degree Cost?
Law & Legal Studies Bachelor’s, 2020
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $6,315
Avg. Net Price: $3,206
On-Campus
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $9,717
Avg. Net Price: $4,640
Source: NCES PowerStats
A bachelor’s degree in legal studies typically won’t break the bank.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the 2020 average net price for online students was just over $3,200 per year. This means after you take into account financial aid and other factors, students typically don’t pay as much directly out of pocket.
Tuition and fees vary based on institution type, too.
Private, nonprofit colleges tend to be significantly more expensive than public universities. However, at public institutions, you may have to pay a higher price if you are an out-of-state student. On average, online legal studies students paid less after financial aid than on-campus students.
Private, for-profit universities tend to charge the highest net price at online-only institutions.
Find Financial Aid for Your Law Degree
What Is an Online Law Degree’s ROI?
Return on investment is influenced by the cost of your studies and the salary you can expect after graduation.
Generally, a bachelor’s in legal studies has a positive ROI, as a law degree opens the door to many higher-paying jobs. However, in order to reach the upper echelons of the legal profession, you’ll need to earn a Juris Doctor professional degree.
A bachelor’s alone can still lead to a positive ROI, as starting salaries for these graduates tend to be over $50,000 per year.
Jobs you can pursue with just a bachelor’s degree in legal studies include:
- Paralegal
- Law clerk
- Mediator
- Compliance officer
Per Payscale, the average entry-level salary for a paralegal, as of August 2025, is just over $45,500 annually. To become a paralegal or legal assistant, you should graduate from a program accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
How to Save Money on Your Online Law Degree
Legal studies often lead to well-paying jobs, but it’s still beneficial to limit your spending on a degree as much as possible. Finding ways to save money on your online law degree could lead to less debt and a brighter future postgraduation.
1. Apply for Financial Aid
First things first: File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
This application can qualify you for federal financial aid, as well as many types of need-based state and institutional aid programs. Low- and middle-income students can benefit from Pell Grants, while filing a FAFSA can also make you eligible for other aid, including Federal Work-Study and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG).
Filing a FAFSA is also essential to qualify for federal student loans.
2. Start at a Community College
Earning an associate from a community college before enrolling in a baccalaureate program is a great way to save money in pursuit of a legal degree.
While there remains some stigma associated with community college, it’s an affordable option for millions of students. The average tuition and fees at a public, two-year institution were $4,050 in 2024-25, much lower than the in-state ($11,610) and out-of-state ($30,780) rates at public, four-year universities.
Online bachelor’s programs often offer flexible transfer options for students transitioning from an associate to bachelor’s program.
3. Get Exempt from Credits
If you are applying for college from the workforce, you may qualify for credit for prior learning (CPL).
Essentially, CPL is a way for colleges and universities to validate learning that happens outside of college classrooms. Experience spent in the workforce, depending on how it applies to your program, could translate into credits, saving you time and money
4. Attend a ‘Free’ Tuition School
The best way to save money is by not spending it at all.
Many colleges and universities across the country offer tuition-free bachelor’s degrees. Some options are geared to low- and middle-income families or students from certain demographic groups, but eligibility requirements vary. Several schools even offer free tuition to all their students. See if one of these schools is a good fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Online Law Degrees
A bachelor of science (BS) in legal studies can help prepare you for law school and eventually to become a practicing lawyer.
It’s not a prerequisite for law school to have earned a BS in legal studies — you can major in many kinds of programs and still be accepted into law school. However, legal studies can offer a sturdy foundation for your eventual foray into law.
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by Jordan Stewart-Rozema, Ph.D.
Updated April 4, 2024
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