A bachelor's in paralegal studies provides practical training in legal research, documentation standards, evidence-gathering, and data management. Programs typically consist of about 120 semester-hour credits, which translates to around four years of full-time learning.
Students sometimes confuse paralegal studies with legal studies. The two fields overlap, but they also differ in important ways. Legal studies is a broad, interdisciplinary field with a general focus on laws, legal institutions, and their practical uses. Paralegal studies programs specifically train people to enter the paralegal profession as researchers and assistants to law firms and lawyers.
According to the American Bar Association (ABA), more than 1,000 U.S. schools host paralegal training and education programs. However, not all of them hold ABA approval. It's wise to check a school's standing using the ABA's directory of approved programs before enrolling.
With that in mind, read on to explore a ranked list of the best online bachelor's in paralegal studies programs of 2024.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Online Paralegal Studies Programs
#1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies 2024
Purdue University Global
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: National Association of Legal Assistants
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $371
Out-of-State | $371
Credits to Graduate: 180 quarter credits
Purdue Global's online BS in legal support and services offers a 22-credit paralegal concentration. Concentration courses cover administrative and criminal law, civil litigation, and law office management. These specialized classes complement a major core focused on practical and ethical aspects of law and jurisprudence.
You can benefit from Purdue Global's online learning experience, which includes asynchronous coursework and access to various learning tools and resources. Among 2022-2023 graduates of online bachelor's programs at Purdue Global, the average time to graduation was just over two years.
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#2 Best Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies 2024
Regent University
- Virginia Beach, VA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $395
Out-of-State | $395
Credits to Graduate: 120-121
Regent's online BS in paralegal studies combines complete practical training with a Christian worldview. Offered through Regent's ABA-approved School of Law, the program will build your knowledge of legal practice areas while developing marketable hard skills.
Coursework allows you to develop a deep understanding of legal terminology and the ability to draft legal documents, interview witnesses, and manage case files. You'll also learn about fee structures and time tracking in law firms.
Along the way, Regent will support you with flexible learning delivered through one of the nation's top-ranked online student experiences.
Percent Online Enrollment
93%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Best Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies 2024
Eastern Kentucky University
- Richmond, KY
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $434
Out-of-State | $434
Credits to Graduate: 120
EKU's online BA in paralegal science holds charter membership in the American Association for Paralegal Education. Beyond complete paralegal training, you'll also have the chance to minor in criminal justice, public administration, or another subject of your choosing. Core coursework covers legal practice and procedures, evidence management and discovery, and multiple legal specializations.
The curriculum also includes an internship, a senior seminar, and an optional independent study. As you move toward graduation, you'll also enjoy full access to EKU's online career services, which provide job search assistance and developmental coaching.
Percent Online Enrollment
73%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Best Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies 2024
University of Providence
- Great Falls, MT
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $932
Out-of-State | $932
Credits to Graduate: 120
UP's online legal studies program gives you the freedom to pursue a paralegal career or law school after graduation. This ABA-approved program covers legal practice and procedural essentials while allowing you to choose electives. Thus, you can personalize your learning while exploring optional internship programs.
As a military-friendly college, UP makes an excellent choice if you're interested in a career as an Air Force or Army paralegal. If you have relevant college credits, you also can take advantage of UP's generous transfer credit policies.
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#5 Best Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies 2024
Loyola University Chicago
- Chicago, IL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $760
Out-of-State | $760
Credits to Graduate: 120
Loyola's online BA in paralegal studies helps you hone your legal skills and prepare for a successful professional law career. You'll learn versatile legal research, writing, ethics, analytical, and technology skills while developing advanced expertise in a legal practice track of your choice.
This ABA-approved paralegal degree features synchronous online courses and a hybrid learning option. If you live in the Chicago area, you can also take campus-based classes.
Note that this is a degree-completion program. You'll need at least 15 college-level paralegal studies credits to qualify for entry.
Percent Online Enrollment
47%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#6 Best Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies 2024
Grand View University
- Des Moines, IA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $491
Out-of-State | $491
Credits to Graduate: 34 (major credits)
GV's online paralegal studies program is the only bachelor's degree of its kind available in Iowa. You can pursue a generalist option or specialize in criminal justice or business and human resource management.
Whichever path you choose, you can enjoy a flexible learning experience designed for working professionals. You can also take advantage of internship opportunities in Iowa or as far afield as Washington, D.C.
The major covers 34 credits, and admission requires previous paralegal training. If you already hold an associate paralegal degree, you can accelerate your graduation timeline.
Percent Online Enrollment
39%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#7 Best Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies 2024
Hampton University
- Hampton, VA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $300
Out-of-State | $300
Credits to Graduate: 120
Hampton Online's BA in paralegal studies can help you train for a law career in the public or private sector. The curriculum combines focused practical coursework and a liberal arts foundation, with classes covering a complete set of legal practice areas.
The Hampton Online experience embraces the concept of "anywhere, anytime" learning. You can participate in optional internships, and the degree can also prepare you for future enrollment in law school.
Percent Online Enrollment
12%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#8 Best Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies 2024
Peirce College
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 years
- Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $600
Out-of-State | $600
Credits to Graduate: 121
Peirce's online BS in paralegal studies uses live online classes to develop core analytical, critical, and professional skills. This ABA-approved program also gives you lots of ways to save. Your first course is free, and you can earn a total of 22 credits at no cost through the school's Coursera partnership.
You'll also have the chance to weave stackable paralegal credentials into your degree plan, enhancing your appeal to employers. If you have already completed courses in another ABA-approved paralegal program, you can transfer up to 90 credits and graduate in as little as one year.
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
100%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
#9 Best Online Bachelor’s in Paralegal Studies 2024
Madonna University
- Livonia, MI
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $500
Out-of-State | $500
Credits to Graduate: 120
MU's online paralegal studies degree boasts more than 2,000 alumni who hold the school's distinction of being "Madonna paralegals." The ABA-approved program stresses advanced professional competencies, holding students to high standards of achievement as they prepare for successful law careers.
MU's curriculum emphasizes legal research and writing. If you plan or later choose to become an attorney, the program provides an excellent foundation for law school. Instructors deliver courses in a synchronous format. If you live in the Detroit area, you'll also have the option of completing about one-third of your classes face to face.
Percent Online Enrollment
72%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
Methodology Overview
Best College Reviews ranks schools based on over a dozen factors, including academic quality, affordability, and earning potential after graduation. To accurately and objectively evaluate each school's value, we consider factors such as student retention rate, average net price, and median student debt.
Read our detailed methodology to learn more about how we rank schools.
Delivery Formats for Online Paralegal Studies Degrees
Online bachelor's degrees in paralegal studies use two delivery models: 100% online and hybrid. The 100% online model requires no physical campus attendance or any other in-person requirements. The hybrid model blends online learning with in-person requirements.
Hybrid programs combine online and in-person elements in various ways. Some require students to take certain courses on campus. Others offer most or all classes in both traditional and online formats and leave it to you to decide how to engage with your learning.
Another variation on the hybrid model involves blended, mostly, or fully online classes with in-person practical training. These programs may involve internships, work-study opportunities, or other fieldwork components that you cannot complete remotely. Student placement settings often include law firms or public legal institutions.
Fully online programs offer several distinct advantages:
- You aren't limited to schools in your immediate geographic area.
- You'll save money on relocation, commuting, and parking costs.
- Learners often find it easier to balance school and outside commitments like work by studying online.
Hybrid learning also offers unique benefits:
- You can interact with peers and faculty more readily.
- You'll enjoy both the social elements of the traditional campus experience and the convenience benefits of online learning.
- It's easier to network with cohorts, instructors, and potential employers.
Also, consider the difference between synchronous and asynchronous online learning. Synchronous classes take place live at scheduled times. Asynchronous classes use pre-recorded learning materials, allowing you to engage with coursework wherever and whenever you like.
As with fully online and hybrid formats, both synchronous and asynchronous learning models offer distinct benefits. You can directly engage with your classmates and instructors in synchronous classes, which is great if you have questions about the material. Asynchronous learning offers more scheduling flexibility, which many learners find more convenient.
In selecting a format, you'll have to assess the relative merits of each option through the lens of your preferences and needs.
Accreditation for Online Paralegal Studies Degrees
The best online bachelor's in paralegal studies programs all share one critical feature: accreditation. By attending an accredited school or program, you can be sure that employers and educational institutions will recognize your degree.
Accreditation also ensures your course credits will qualify for transfer to other accredited institutions. This is important if you decide to change schools or if you want advanced standing while pursuing an additional, related degree after graduation.
Institutional accreditation covers an entire school. You should only pursue a bachelor's program in paralegal studies with institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Some programs hold a specialized, optional form of accreditation known as programmatic accreditation. This signals that the curriculum aligns with the accrediting agency's standards and/or that the program offers elevated academic quality. The ABA and the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) are the main programmatic accreditors of paralegal studies degree programs.
In addition to accreditation, check the school's state authorization standing. State authorization essentially allows an institution to teach out-of-state students remotely. If you're planning to study online at a school based in a different state, you'll need to confirm the school's authorization to teach people in your state. Do this before you apply.
How Much Will an Online Paralegal Studies Bachelor's Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), students paid an average of $4,365 per year to attend an undergraduate law or legal studies program at an institution offering fully online instruction in 2020.
Additional NCES data sheds more light on the full range of potential tuition costs. In the 2021–2022 school year, U.S. students paid the following average costs at various institution types:
- Public four-year college, in state: $9,596
- Public four-year college, out of state: $27,457
- Private four-year college: $34,041
Your online bachelor's in paralegal studies program costs could fall anywhere within these ranges or even outside of them. Factors influencing the costs of specific programs include:
- Delivery Format: Some schools offer lower tuition rates to learners who study exclusively online. Similarly, some public colleges charge all online students the same flat rates regardless of in-state or out-of-state status.
- Military Service: Accredited colleges frequently offer tuition discounts to veterans and active servicemembers or reservists.
- School Prestige: Top, well-known schools (such as the Ivies) compete financially to recruit elite academics as faculty members. This typically results in higher tuition costs for students.
As you perform cost projections, factor in costs unique to online students. These may include:
- Technology fees charged by institutions for access to online courses
- Computer equipment
- Software licenses or subscriptions
- Data usage
If you need help paying for your bachelor's in paralegal studies degree, look at non-repayable forms of aid first. These include scholarships, fellowships, and education grants. Some schools also offer work-study programs for students who need aid.
Use repayable forms of aid, like federal and private loans, as a last resort. They create long-term debt, which you'll want to limit.
Why Get Your Bachelor's in Paralegal Studies Online?
By enrolling in an online paralegal studies program, you can save on costs while benefiting from a flexible learning environment. Many students find that online learning makes it easier to balance school and work. This helps make education more affordable by protecting your ability to earn money while you study.
Furthermore, paralegal studies programs involve complex concepts and technical content. E-learning environments can be a benefit when learning complicated topics: Learners can watch and rewatch lectures and tutorials as many times as necessary.
At the same time, online learning demands more independence and self-discipline from students. You'll have to consider both its benefits and drawbacks to determine if it matches your learning style.
Questions About Paralegal Studies Programs
What is the best degree for a paralegal?
A bachelor's in paralegal studies can lead to both broader, deeper knowledge and higher pay. While it is possible to become a paralegal with an associate degree, professionals may find that a bachelor's degree leads to better job opportunities.
How long does it take to get a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies online?
An online bachelor's in paralegal studies typically covers 120 credits, which represents about four years of full-time schooling. If you already have an associate degree or at least 60 transferable credits, you can enroll in a degree completion program. These programs usually lead to graduation in 1-2 years, depending on your educational background.
How much does an online degree in paralegal studies cost?
In a 2020 longitudinal study, NCES found that students paid an average of $4,365 per year to attend an undergraduate law or legal studies program available entirely online. However, your actual program costs could be higher or lower. Tuition depends on factors like the school's prestige, whether you attend a public or private college, and where you live.
What's the difference between a paralegal and a legal assistant?
Paralegals focus more on legal duties, while legal assistants carry out administrative duties. For instance, paralegals directly aid lawyers in their legal research, case preparation, and evidence-gathering. Legal assistants mainly cover clerical tasks, document management, scheduling, and other assistive duties.
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