Best Online Paralegal Programs of 2026
Ready to get into the law field to make a difference in people’s lives? See how an online paralegal studies degree can help get you there.
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2026You don’t need to go to law school to play an essential role at a law firm. Paralegals keep cases organized and well documented. They also assist lawyers with client and witness interviews.
You don’t need a bachelor’s degree to become a paralegal, but earning one can help you stand out to employers. Still, a traditional program’s time and cost investment might not be worth it for many aspiring paralegals.
Online bachelor’s programs in paralegal studies can offer you a flexible and affordable way to earn a degree employers value without putting your life on hold. We chose the best online paralegal programs based on several factors, including affordability and great student outcomes.
Best Online Paralegal Programs of 2026
How We Rank Schools
Grand View University — Best Online Paralegal Program for Iowa Students
- Des Moines, IA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose It: The only paralegal bachelor's in Iowa offers automatic admission for community college graduates.
Grand View University’s online paralegal program grants automatic admission to students who graduated from a community college, making it the best program on this list for students living in Iowa. If you’ve graduated with your associate degree from any Iowa community college, you will receive automatic admission as a junior into this program.
By partnering with Des Moines Area Community College, Grand View’s 2+2 program allows you to apply the skills you’ve learned in your associate degree program toward a more advanced paralegal bachelor’s program. You can advance your career or prepare for law school while working and studying in this program, which is the only paralegal bachelor’s program in Iowa.
What We Like About Grand View
- Choose between two concentrations: criminal justice or business and human resource management.
- Grand View's transfer policy is generous, allowing students to transfer up to 75 credits.
- This program requires an internship for graduation.
What We Don't Like
- This program isn’t approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
- Grand View's fees range from $40-$250 per course.
- Tuition for part-time day classes is significantly higher, going from $510 per credit for online tuition to $910 per credit.
49%
$32,800
73%
$32,800
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Students Enrolled
- 1,796
- Institution Type
- Private
Loyola University Chicago — Best Online Paralegal Program for Working Students
- Chicago, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose It: Five start dates, options for full- or part-time study, and evening sessions give students the flexibility to balance work with school.
Loyola University Chicago’s online paralegal program is the best school on this list for working students, thanks to its five start dates per year and flexible scheduling options. Working students can begin during any of these five sessions and attend either full- or part-time to accommodate a busy schedule.
Loyola Chicago’s program is unique due to its short, eight-week terms. Other paralegal programs on our list feature a semester structure with longer terms and fewer start dates. If you’re a working student, you can start when it's convenient for you and take classes at the pace that works best for your schedule.
What We Like About LUC
- Earn a dual litigation and corporate practice certificate as you work toward your bachelor’s degree.
- This program is ABA-approved.
- LUC reports that 90% of paralegal studies graduates gain employment in the field within six months of graduation.
What We Don't Like
- This program charges the most expensive tuition on this list at $825 per credit.
- Classes may require you to attend at certain times.
- LUC offers fewer opportunities for hands-on learning than other programs on our list.
24%
$50,270
82%
$50,270
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Students Enrolled
- 17,384
- Institution Type
- Private
Roger Williams University — Most Affordable Online Paralegal Program
- Bristol, RI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose It: At $433 per credit, RWU is the most inexpensive option on our list.
Roger Williams University’s online paralegal program is the most affordable option on this list, with tuition costing $433 per credit. This online program allows you to advance your career for up to $392 less per credit than other paralegal bachelor’s degree programs on this list. Additionally, you can take a prior learning assessment to earn credit for prior educational, military, and work experience, accelerating your degree timeline and saving you money.
While it’s the most affordable program on this list, the curriculum doesn’t compromise on quality. You’ll find opportunities to work with esteemed Rhode Island lawyers and experienced professors in courses that cover topics like legal ethics, research and writing, and technology.
What We Like About RWU
- This program is ABA-approved.
- Get hands-on experience through a required internship.
- RWU doesn't require exam scores for admission.
What We Don't Like
- RWU offers only one start date for this program, making it less flexible.
- You can only transfer a maximum of 12 ABA-approved credits toward your paralegal major or six non-ABA-approved credits.
- RWU offers fewer asynchronous options.
13%
$42,336
79%
$42,336
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Students Enrolled
- 4,344
- Institution Type
- Private
Stevenson University — Best for Students Considering a Law Degree
- Owings Mills, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose It: You can earn a bachelor's and juris doctor in six years in the 3+3 program.
Stevenson University’s online paralegal program offers a direct path toward law school, the only program of its kind on this list. In the 3+3 early admission program, you can spend three years earning your bachelor’s degree and three years earning your juris doctor. This allows you to graduate a year earlier than the standard timeline, saving you time and money on your law degree.
A partnership with Delaware Law, the 3+3 early admission program allows students to enter law school on an affordable, accelerated track. Tuition costs $465 per credit, and Delaware Law gives a minimum $30,000 merit scholarship to full-time Stevenson Legal Studies students in the 3+3 program.
What We Like About Stevenson
- You can earn up to 30 hours of credit for prior learning
- You can transfer up to 70 credit hours from a community college or 90 credit hours from a four-year institution.
- This program is ABA-approved.
What We Don't Like
- Stevenson's program offers fewer defined specialization tracks.
- You can only transfer a maximum of 24 law credits.
- Much of the curriculum focuses on preparing you for law school, rather than preparing you for a career as a paralegal.
60%
$36,940
79%
$36,940
- Acceptance Rate
- 79%
- Students Enrolled
- 3,684
- Institution Type
- Private
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus — Best Online Engagement Opportunities
- Cincinnati, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose It: Online paralegal students have access to three clubs, providing opportunities to get involved and network.
The University of Cincinnati’s online paralegal program offers the best access to networking and professional clubs, making it the best program for online engagement on this list. These programs include the Criminal Justice Society; the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Tribunal; and the CECH Student Ambassador program.
In the Criminal Justice Society, you can join students who want to further their knowledge of the law and crime by organizing speakers, group trips, and career fairs. The CECH Tribunal convenes to represent students’ needs within the college, and CECH Student Ambassadors represent the college in its student retention and recruitment efforts.
What We Like About UC
- This is an ABA-approved program.
- Three start dates per year make this program fairly flexible.
- An internship requirement and study abroad opportunities provide real-world legal experience.
What We Don't Like
- While it’s not the most expensive option on this list, UC is still relatively expensive at $600 per credit for in-state students and $615 for out-of-state students.
- This program doesn't have specialization tracks.
64%
$12,716
85%
$28,050
- Acceptance Rate
- 85%
- Students Enrolled
- 45,584
- Institution Type
- Public
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school’s program to identify qualities that set it apart from others on this list, prioritizing factors like articulation agreements, advanced degree options, and engagement opportunities. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools’ facts in December 2025.
Why You Should Get an Online Paralegal Studies Degree
- You Want a Head Start on a Legal Career: With a paralegal degree, you can see what it’s like to work as a legal assistant before pursuing a professional law degree.
- You’re Good With People: As a paralegal, you may work directly with and interview clients, families, and witnesses in legal cases.
- You Have an Eye for Detail and Organization: As a paralegal, you’ll be required to write up, gather, organize, and maintain legal documents for your law firm and lawyers.
Benefits of Getting a Paralegal Studies Degree Online
- According to BestColleges’ 2025 Online Education Trends Report, almost all (97%) of the online bachelor’s students and graduates who were surveyed said they would recommend online education to others.
- Over 9 in 10 (95%) of the respondents said they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
- If you’re concerned about losing out by not being on campus, 75% said an online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.
How to Choose the Best Online Paralegal Studies Program for You
Before choosing a program, there are a few important things to consider: How much your program will cost, how long it will take, what you need to apply, and what careers you can pursue out of college.
How Much Does an Online Paralegal Studies Program Cost?
Online Legal Professions and Studies Bachelor’s Programs, 2020
Avg. Tuition & Fees:
$6,315
Avg. Net Price:
$3,206
Source: National Center for Education Statistics’ PowerStats
Typically, you’ll pay less taking classes online than attending an in-person paralegal program. You won’t pay fees related to being on campus or deal with commuting and campus housing costs.
Your financial situation will impact how much you ultimately pay for college. Low- and middle-income college students can qualify for financial aid like the Pell Grant to help make college more affordable.
To see how much financial aid you are eligible for, the first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You’ll get an estimation of how much you’ll be expected to pay for college. Then, the information will go to the prospective schools you list on your FAFSA.
You can then compare the financial aid packages the schools give you to determine which one will give you the best value.
Find Financial Aid for Your Online Paralegal Studies Degree
How Long Does It Take to Get a Paralegal Studies Degree?
Typical # of Credits
120 Credits
Typical Program Length
3-4 Years
It’ll typically take 3-4 years to complete an online paralegal studies degree if you’re enrolled full time. But there are ways you can finish the program even faster.
An accelerated online program, for example, condenses the same amount of credits and coursework into a shorter, more intense timeframe, sometimes allowing you to graduate up to two years faster.
If you want to take your time, a part-time flexible online degree can be optimal for a working professional balancing family and education.
These programs are built to work around your schedule and are often asynchronous, letting you watch lectures and complete assignments at any time in the day before a certain deadline.
Online Paralegal Studies Application Requirements
Application: Check to see if your prospective colleges use the Common App, a universal college application you can send to multiple colleges at once. If not, find an application on the college’s website.- Test Scores: See if your prospective schools require standardized tests like the SAT and ACT and what scores set you up for a good shot at getting in.
- Letters of Recommendation: Schools may require 1-3 letters of recommendation from teachers, peers, coworkers, and mentors to vouch for your personality and work ethic.
- Official Transcripts: Send in any high school and previous college transcripts. Colleges can evaluate the transcripts and see if any credits you have already earned can go toward your new program.
- Essays: Typically, colleges require 500- to 800-word essays where you can show your qualities, goals, and life experiences.
What Can You Do With an Online Paralegal Studies Degree?
With a degree in paralegal studies, you’ll qualify for jobs as a paralegal or legal assistant in private law firms, corporations, nonprofit organizations, or public defender offices. And while an associate degree can get you in the door, a bachelor’s degree helps you stand out.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $61,010 | Write, maintain, and organize files and other legal documents at a law firm |
| Court Reporters | $67,310 | Transcribe court proceedings and record speakers’ identities, appearances, and all relevant court details |
| Mediators | $67,710 | Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution between two or more parties outside of the court system |
| Project Management Specialists | $100,750 | Lead and manage projects and act as a point of contact between clients and firms/businesses |
Learn More About Paralegal Jobs
Is an Online Paralegal Studies Degree Worth It?
That depends on your goals and how important salary is to you. A paralegal job is attainable with just a certificate and an associate degree, but as a bachelor’s degree-holder, you may stand out more to potential employers, and you may earn more.
According to a 2022 National Association of Legal Assistants report, paralegals with bachelor’s degrees earn 5% more than those with an associate degree.
Paralegals made a median annual salary of around $61,000 in 2024, but some of the highest-paid paralegals made over $98,000. The degree might be worth it if you decide to pursue more education to become a lawyer, where your potential salary cap is even higher.
Education Beyond a Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies
Paralegal majors most commonly pursue graduate and professional degrees in law. Doctors of law can take the bar exam to hold a practicing law license in their state. However, law school is hard to get into and is notoriously expensive.
The median pay for a lawyer reflects the effort and expenses involved in pursuing the career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), lawyers earn a median of $151,160 per year, with some of the highest-paid lawyers making over $239,000 annually.
Frequently Asked Questions About an Online Paralegal Studies Degree
Becoming a paralegal can take anywhere from six months to four years. The exact length of a paralegal program depends on the credential and your prior education.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can pursue a graduate certificate in paralegal studies, which typically takes 6-12 months. You can also enter the field with a two-year associate degree or a four-year bachelor’s in paralegal studies. Many employers prefer to hire candidates with a bachelor’s degree.
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