Most Affordable Online Law Degree Programs 2024
2024Want to pursue law, but aren’t sure whether to start?
You’re faced with an overwhelming number of options when looking for an undergraduate degree that might lead to law school. You could major in legal studies or take on a general undergraduate degree with a pre-law focus. You could enroll in an accelerated 3+3 program with a direct pathway to earn your juris doctor (JD), or enroll in a deferred program.
You also might not even be sure if you want to head to law school after graduation. Instead, you might want a degree that can lead to jobs within and beyond the legal field.
We’ve got you covered. Read on to learn more about pathways into the legal career.
2024 Most Affordable Online Law Degree Programs
Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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.
- In-State$6,285
- Out-of-state$15,270
- In-State$4,802
- Out-of-state$10,697
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate99%
- Students Enrolled6,631
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment78%
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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.
- In-State$6,368
- Out-of-state$19,810
- In-State$6,916
- Out-of-state$25,759
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate41%
- Students Enrolled67,959
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts Global
- Irvine, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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.
- In-State$12,000
- Out-of-state$12,000
- In-State$12,240
- Out-of-state$12,240
- Retention Rate19%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled9,798
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
Bellevue University
- Bellevue, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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.
- In-State$7,560
- Out-of-state$7,560
- In-State$10,980
- Out-of-state$10,980
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled11,902
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
National University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Online
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.
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- In-State$15,480
- Out-of-state$15,480
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate55%
- Students Enrolled18,631
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment80%
- AccreditationYes
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Adelphi, MD
- 4 year
- Online
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.
- In-State$7,344
- Out-of-state$11,976
- In-State$9,072
- Out-of-state$11,862
- Retention Rate52%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled55,323
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
Purdue University Global
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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.
- In-State$10,080
- Out-of-state$13,356
- In-State$8,730
- Out-of-state$9,700
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled43,458
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Hodges University
- Fort Myers, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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.
- In-State$14,280
- Out-of-state$14,280
- In-State$14,940
- Out-of-state$14,940
- Retention Rate50%
- Acceptance Rate61%
- Students Enrolled551
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
Dominican University
- River Forest, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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.
- In-State$34,950
- Out-of-state$34,950
- In-State$19,943
- Out-of-state$19,943
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled3,195
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment87%
- AccreditationYes
Keiser University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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.
- In-State$20,800
- Out-of-state$20,800
- In-State$29,632
- Out-of-state$29,632
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled19,019
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
What Is a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B)?
While a number of countries offer the undergraduate bachelor of laws (LL.B.) degree, the United States no longer does. Schools in the United States phased out the LL.B. degree in the 1960s in favor of the juris doctor (JD) degree. Supreme Court justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg, William Rehnquist, Sandra Day O’Conner, and Anthony Kennedy are examples of people who received a bachelor of laws degree.
Most U.S. jurisdictions require people with LL.Bs from outside of the U.S. to have an additional legal degree from an accredited U.S. law school in order to practice law in the U.S. While U.S. colleges no longer offer an LL.B, they do have a number of pathways to law school, including pre-law degrees and programs that can lead you to law school.
Types of Undergraduate Law Programs
Schools offer both degrees in the legal field and a pre-law focus in a number of other concentrations to prepare you for law school.
Many programs offer both bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees. While a bachelor of arts degree is more focused on theory and a broad study of the humanities, a bachelor of science degree typically includes more applied learning and hands-on experience.
Other Majors to Consider for Prospective Law Students
A law concentration in your undergraduate studies isn’t required for admission to law school. A number of majors have applications in the field of law, and schools also allow students to add a pre-law concentration to certain majors. Additionally, you’ll likely be able to add elective law classes and studies regardless of your major.
Business
A number of undergraduate business majors, like a bachelor of business administration degree, include instruction in areas related to the legal field. Business majors often deal with rules and regulations and compliance with regard to business, familiarizing students with the legal realm as it relates to private enterprise.
Economics
Economics includes a heavy emphasis on analysis, critical thinking, and communication. All of those skills are highly transferable into law school. An ability to analyze and distill complicated information is key when studying for a JD, and an economics degree includes those relevant skills.
English
With a heavy focus on writing, reading comprehension, and critical thinking, an English degree can prepare you for the demands of law school. You’ll be required to do a large amount of academic reading in law school and will have to distill and apply that information. An English major’s heavy focus on literature and interpretation can help you prepare.
History
Law school involves a study of law going back to its foundations and applying longstanding precedents to the present day. A degree in history can help you prepare to study and understand cases and precedents from long ago. It can also help you build knowledge of how government has functioned from the past to the present.
Philosophy
Philosophy’s heavy focus on rhetoric and arguments applies directly to law school. The deconstruction of an argument and understanding what makes a good argument are critical skills for lawyers — and a degree in philosophy can help boost your skill set in that area.
Political Science
Political science includes a number of applications to law school, including an overview of the courts and legal system, as well as the many functions of government and how laws are made. A political science degree will provide you with the fundamentals of government and the legal system, as well as critical and analytical thinking skills that will be useful in law school.
Psychology
In addition to its study of human behavior being transferable to law school, a psychology degree usually also includes instruction in history and coursework applying theory in a practical context. The ability to understand and apply abstract concepts can help prepare you for JD coursework.
Frequently Asked Questions About Law Degree Programs
You will need to pass a jurisdiction’s bar exam in order to practice law in the U.S. While you can take the bar exam with an LL.B., most U.S. jurisdictions also require a JD to practice law.
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