50 Most Affordable Legal Studies School Programs

Get Matched With Legal Studies Programs

Are you considering earning a degree in legal studies? This may be a good choice if you are interested in pursuing a career in either law or business. While many professions in this field require additional education and/or training, graduating from an accredited academic program is generally a good start./p>

Degrees of this type offer significant flexibility. Students learn to hone various theoretical, technical, and problem-solving skills, attributes that are valuable in nearly any workplace. As a result, there are numerous career paths available in law, criminal justice, business, and homeland security after graduation.

It’s important for prospective students to note that many of the most prominent positions require additional education. Common continuing education pathways include earning a master’s degree in criminal justice, business law, business administration, or homeland security. There are also graduate certificates available for students interested in pursuing careers as paralegals.

While job specifics will vary depending on the career chosen, legal studies professionals often assist in the legal process. Responsibilities tend to revolve around analytical thinking, conflict resolution, active listening, communication, and research. Other helpful skills include being well organized and capable of making decisions under pressure. Professionals in this field must also be able to read and write for extended periods of time.

Most careers related to legal studies require some level of higher education, which can be expensive. Employers generally expect candidates to have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s degree in legal studies is generally needed for masters of business administration (MBA) programs or law school.

Compare Popular Online Legal Studies Programs

Search Programs

Top 50 Affordable Legal Studies Colleges and Universities

1

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Score: 100

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,420
- Out-of-State: $9,124
Net Price: $3,029
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 30%
Total Enrollment: 2,288
Undergrad Students: 2,288
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $62,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

2

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Score: 94.19

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,470
- Out-of-State: $15,420
Net Price: $5,001
Acceptance Rate: 51%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 54%
Total Enrollment: 13,921
Undergrad Students: 12,061
Graduate Students: 1,860
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

3

Northern Kentucky University

Score: 87.54

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,896
- Out-of-State: $21,480
Net Price: $7,259
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 15,801
Undergrad Students: 10,776
Graduate Students: 5,025
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

4

The University of West Florida

Score: 83.57

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,360
- Out-of-State: $19,241
Net Price: $8,609
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 13,521
Undergrad Students: 9,291
Graduate Students: 4,230
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

5

Peirce College

Score: 80.59

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,060
- Out-of-State: $15,060
Net Price: $9,621
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 5%
Total Enrollment: 856
Undergrad Students: 762
Graduate Students: 94
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

6

Northeastern State University

Score: 80.45

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,513
- Out-of-State: $16,633
Net Price: $9,669
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Retention Rate: 64%

Graduation Rate: 38%
Total Enrollment: 6,702
Undergrad Students: 5,242
Graduate Students: 1,460
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

7

Clayton State University

Score: 80.09

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,068
- Out-of-State: $15,790
Net Price: $9,792
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Retention Rate: 60%

Graduation Rate: 34%
Total Enrollment: 5,847
Undergrad Students: 5,283
Graduate Students: 564
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

8

East Central University

Score: 78.82

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,032
- Out-of-State: $17,542
Net Price: $10,221
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 60%

Graduation Rate: 31%
Total Enrollment: 3,376
Undergrad Students: 2,730
Graduate Students: 646
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

9

Eastern Kentucky University

Score: 77.1

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,130
- Out-of-State: $20,820
Net Price: $10,806
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 14,324
Undergrad Students: 12,072
Graduate Students: 2,252
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

10

Florida Gulf Coast University

Score: 77.02

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,118
- Out-of-State: $25,162
Net Price: $10,834
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 59%
Total Enrollment: 15,969
Undergrad Students: 14,130
Graduate Students: 1,839
Grads Salary: $63,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

11

Morehead State University

Score: 76.56

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,838
- Out-of-State: $14,706
Net Price: $10,991
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 47%
Total Enrollment: 8,807
Undergrad Students: 8,215
Graduate Students: 592
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

12

American Public University System

Score: 76.02

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,400
- Out-of-State: $8,400
Net Price: $11,172
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 55%
Total Enrollment: 48,668
Undergrad Students: 39,206
Graduate Students: 9,462
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

13

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Score: 76.02

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,455
- Out-of-State: $19,210
Net Price: $11,173
Acceptance Rate: 61%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 42%
Total Enrollment: 8,197
Undergrad Students: 5,825
Graduate Students: 2,372
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

14

University of Illinois Springfield

Score: 74.37

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,252
- Out-of-State: $22,017
Net Price: $11,733
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 4,198
Undergrad Students: 2,393
Graduate Students: 1,805
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

15

West Virginia University

Score: 72.99

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,648
- Out-of-State: $27,360
Net Price: $12,202
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 24,741
Undergrad Students: 19,059
Graduate Students: 5,682
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

16

University of Utah

Score: 72.41

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,315
- Out-of-State: $29,837
Net Price: $12,399
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 65%
Total Enrollment: 34,734
Undergrad Students: 26,355
Graduate Students: 8,379
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

17

Paul Quinn College

Score: 72.38

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,498
- Out-of-State: $13,498
Net Price: $12,409
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 29%
Total Enrollment: 938
Undergrad Students: 938
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $61,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

18

Washburn University

Score: 72.19

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,578
- Out-of-State: $20,582
Net Price: $12,473
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 54%
Total Enrollment: 5,460
Undergrad Students: 4,733
Graduate Students: 727
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

19

Ball State University

Score: 71.77

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,758
- Out-of-State: $28,766
Net Price: $12,615
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 64%
Total Enrollment: 19,777
Undergrad Students: 14,416
Graduate Students: 5,361
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

20

Mississippi University for Women

Score: 71.55

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,092
- Out-of-State: $8,092
Net Price: $12,691
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 37%
Total Enrollment: 2,339
Undergrad Students: 2,080
Graduate Students: 259
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

21

University of Wisconsin-Superior

Score: 70.91

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,487
- Out-of-State: $16,400
Net Price: $12,908
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 66%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 2,710
Undergrad Students: 2,213
Graduate Students: 497
Grads Salary: $63,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

22

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Score: 70.74

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,150
- Out-of-State: $24,464
Net Price: $12,967
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Retention Rate: 71%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 9,070
Undergrad Students: 6,604
Graduate Students: 2,466
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

23

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Score: 70.72

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,370
- Out-of-State: $22,358
Net Price: $12,973
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 15,058
Undergrad Students: 12,026
Graduate Students: 3,032
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

24

University of Central Florida

Score: 70.32

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,368
- Out-of-State: $22,467
Net Price: $13,108
Acceptance Rate: 41%
Retention Rate: 93%

Graduation Rate: 76%
Total Enrollment: 68,346
Undergrad Students: 58,662
Graduate Students: 9,684
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 29:1

25

Fort Hays State University

Score: 69.69

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,633
- Out-of-State: $16,811
Net Price: $13,322
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 12,949
Undergrad Students: 10,427
Graduate Students: 2,522
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

26

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Score: 69.53

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,205
- Out-of-State: $40,603
Net Price: $13,376
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Retention Rate: 94%

Graduation Rate: 89%
Total Enrollment: 48,956
Undergrad Students: 36,306
Graduate Students: 12,650
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

27

Goldey-Beacom College

Score: 69.3

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,440
- Out-of-State: $13,440
Net Price: $13,454
Acceptance Rate: 63%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 1,012
Undergrad Students: 620
Graduate Students: 392
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

28

Tarleton State University

Score: 68.42

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,878
- Out-of-State: $17,958
Net Price: $13,755
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 14,092
Undergrad Students: 11,880
Graduate Students: 2,212
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

29

Central Penn College

Score: 68.28

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,404
- Out-of-State: $19,404
Net Price: $13,803
Acceptance Rate: 34%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 36%
Total Enrollment: 943
Undergrad Students: 918
Graduate Students: 25
Grads Salary: $60,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

30

SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Score: 67.55

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,689
- Out-of-State: $13,519
Net Price: $14,049
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 41%
Total Enrollment: 2,836
Undergrad Students: 2,836
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

31

Texas State University

Score: 67.34

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,450
- Out-of-State: $23,210
Net Price: $14,120
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 38,171
Undergrad Students: 33,834
Graduate Students: 4,337
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

32

University of Southern Mississippi

Score: 66.44

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,618
- Out-of-State: $11,618
Net Price: $14,427
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 52%
Total Enrollment: 13,526
Undergrad Students: 10,258
Graduate Students: 3,268
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

33

Ursuline College

Score: 66.22

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,860
- Out-of-State: $37,860
Net Price: $14,502
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 48%
Total Enrollment: 950
Undergrad Students: 625
Graduate Students: 325
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 7:1

34

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Score: 66.09

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,004
- Out-of-State: $34,501
Net Price: $14,544
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Retention Rate: 93%

Graduation Rate: 85%
Total Enrollment: 56,916
Undergrad Students: 35,120
Graduate Students: 21,796
Grads Salary: $84,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

35

Arizona State University

Score: 65.32

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,051
- Out-of-State: $32,193
Net Price: $14,808
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 80,065
Undergrad Students: 65,492
Graduate Students: 14,573
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

36

South College

Score: 65.25

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,935
- Out-of-State: $17,935
Net Price: $14,831
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 59%

Graduation Rate: 39%
Total Enrollment: 6,182
Undergrad Students: 4,906
Graduate Students: 1,276
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

37

Central Michigan University

Score: 62.97

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,190
- Out-of-State: $14,190
Net Price: $15,605
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 14,557
Undergrad Students: 10,401
Graduate Students: 4,156
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

38

University of Alaska Anchorage

Score: 62.96

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,566
- Out-of-State: $21,693
Net Price: $15,609
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Retention Rate: 66%

Graduation Rate: 30%
Total Enrollment: 10,464
Undergrad Students: 9,925
Graduate Students: 539
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

39

Cleveland State University

Score: 62.63

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,613
- Out-of-State: $17,973
Net Price: $15,719
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 14,385
Undergrad Students: 9,776
Graduate Students: 4,609
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

40

Mercy University

Score: 62.16

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,106
- Out-of-State: $22,106
Net Price: $15,879
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 47%
Total Enrollment: 8,615
Undergrad Students: 6,379
Graduate Students: 2,236
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

41

University of Maryland

Score: 61.19

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,505
- Out-of-State: $40,306
Net Price: $16,210
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Retention Rate: 95%

Graduation Rate: 89%
Total Enrollment: 40,792
Undergrad Students: 30,353
Graduate Students: 10,439
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

42

Indiana University-Bloomington

Score: 61.12

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,790
- Out-of-State: $40,482
Net Price: $16,234
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 81%
Total Enrollment: 47,005
Undergrad Students: 35,660
Graduate Students: 11,345
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

43

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Score: 59.44

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,108
- Out-of-State: $27,748
Net Price: $16,805
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 65%
Total Enrollment: 23,805
Undergrad Students: 19,189
Graduate Students: 4,616
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

44

University of California-Los Angeles

Score: 58.87

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,747
- Out-of-State: $44,524
Net Price: $16,999
Acceptance Rate: 9%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 92%
Total Enrollment: 46,430
Undergrad Students: 32,423
Graduate Students: 14,007
Grads Salary: $89,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

45

Berkeley College-Woodland Park

Score: 58.66

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,600
- Out-of-State: $28,600
Net Price: $17,068
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 64%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 2,078
Undergrad Students: 1,944
Graduate Students: 134
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

46

University of Arizona

Score: 58.64

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,626
- Out-of-State: $41,095
Net Price: $17,075
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 68%
Total Enrollment: 49,403
Undergrad Students: 38,751
Graduate Students: 10,652
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

47

Grand Valley State University

Score: 58.55

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,628
- Out-of-State: $20,820
Net Price: $17,105
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 66%
Total Enrollment: 21,648
Undergrad Students: 18,665
Graduate Students: 2,983
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

48

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Score: 58.16

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,570
- Out-of-State: $35,396
Net Price: $17,240
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 71%
Total Enrollment: 17,153
Undergrad Students: 12,389
Graduate Students: 4,764
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

49

Regent University

Score: 57.86

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,686
- Out-of-State: $20,686
Net Price: $17,341
Acceptance Rate: 32%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 55%
Total Enrollment: 10,337
Undergrad Students: 4,541
Graduate Students: 5,796
Grads Salary: $63,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

50

Mount Saint Joseph University

Score: 57.37

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,650
- Out-of-State: $36,650
Net Price: $17,506
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 2,027
Undergrad Students: 1,423
Graduate Students: 604
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

Why a Degree from an Affordable Legal Studies Program or Law School?

For many, finding an affordable academic program will be a top priority. Paying to attend classes at a college or university can be expensive, especially over an extended period of time. One way to decrease potential expenses is to apply for financial aid, such as scholarships and grants. Unfortunately, these types of assistance rarely account for all of the costs associated with earning a degree. As a result, many students also take out loans to fulfill education-related financial obligations. While money provided via loans must be paid back over time, this is not the case for scholarships and grants.

In addition to applying for financial aid, it may be wise or necessary to find an affordable legal studies program, such as by starting with an associate degree. This is a particularly helpful tactic for students who demonstrate greater financial need. Regardless of your academic goals, opting for a less expensive program is often optimal when compared with opting for a better-known program.

Find Online Legal Studies Schools

Many students choose legal studies degrees because they allow for significant professional flexibility.

There are a variety of different career paths available to graduates, including:

Criminal Law
Cyber Security
Financial Regulatory Compliance
Healthcare Compliance
Higher Education Law
Business Administration
Homeland Security

Most colleges and universities allow bachelor’s and master’s degree students in this field to select a concentration or specialty. Doing this allows students to take classes that align with their interests. Some of the most common tracks include business law, pre-law, criminal justice, and paralegal studies.

While there are some associate programs in law-related subjects, most legal studies degrees are at the bachelor’s or master’s levels. The most readily available law positions for associate degree graduates are paralegal and legal assistant. Achieving higher levels of education is generally recommended, as this will make you more competitive in the job market. It’s important to determine your ultimate career goals, however, as this will make it easier to identify which degree type will be necessary.

Choosing an Affordable Legal Studies Program or Law College

When choosing an affordable legal studies program, there are several factors you should consider. Every college and university is different. Comparing and contrasting a number of factors will yield the best results. Some of the most significant differences you’re likely to find include cost, location, accreditation, instructional methods, and graduation requirements.

Cost
As mentioned above, earning a degree of any kind can be expensive. The cost does, however, tend to vary quite significantly. This is especially true when considering public versus private schools. Ideally, you should spend some time assessing your personal financial situation before committing to a single institution. Factors that may impact your decision include the financial aid options available, possible living accommodations, and approximately how long it will take to reach your academic goals.
Location
There are legal studies programs available all over the world. The one you choose is significant because location can impact cost of attendance, as well as the employment opportunities available after graduation. Many colleges and universities charge out-of-state students significantly more to enroll. Additionally, some states give preference to graduates from schools in their regions. In other cases, states may not acknowledge degrees or graduate certificates awarded by entities outside the area for licensure purposes.
Accreditation
It is absolutely imperative to verify the accreditation status of a college and university prior to enrolling. Academic institutions can choose between regional and national accreditation. In the United States, accrediting agencies are overseen by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Individual programs can also choose to obtain field-specific or programmatic accreditation. Attending a school that lacks proper accreditation can make finding employment difficult or impossible. Additionally, they tend to offer less financial aid and make transferring credits more difficult.
Instruction Methods
It’s also important to keep your learning preferences in mind. Legal studies programs consist of broad curriculums that are optimal for instruction in traditional classroom settings as well as online. Many colleges and universities now offer distance learning as an option, either for the entire degree or a portion of it. You will have to determine which option will suit your learning style, academic aspirations, and budget best. Keep in mind that success in online programs tends to require significant self-motivation.
Graduation Requirements
While legal studies requirements for graduation are often similar, no two institutions are exactly the same. Make sure you review college and program expectations carefully before enrolling. In most cases, you can view complete curriculums and course listings online before applying. Becoming familiar with this information helps ensure the program aligns with your ultimate education and career goals.

Online Options

Not every field is well-suited to distance learning. Fortunately, the broad and flexible nature of legal studies is conducive to the online setting. As a result, there are numerous colleges and universities that offer remote bachelor's degrees in legal studies for those interested in the field. Regardless of the higher education level you aspire to, it is possible to find accredited programs throughout the nation.

Online legal studies programs offer excellent flexibility for students with personal and professional obligations that limit their abilities to attend classes in person. They are particularly ideal for returning students with previous college credit, individuals with families, as well as mid-career professionals interested in transitioning into the field. Some institutions also offer accelerated programs that allow graduates to enter the workforce early. While a traditional bachelor’s degree typically requires four years of on-campus instruction, accelerated online programs can take as little as two years to complete. Faster graduation timeframes and scheduling flexibility make this type of degree an optimal solution.

While convenient for many people, online programs sometimes lack the resources of a traditional, on-campus school. To ensure you have the best possible opportunities, verify what academic resources and career services the college or university has to offer students and recent graduates.

Ideally, the institution will have some sort of post graduate job placement assistance programs comprised of the following assistive tools:

Interview Preparation
Resume Development
Career Coaching Services
Internship Opportunities
Job Fairs

Career development departments are common on college and university campuses, but not all of them are equipped to provide benefits virtually. If you plan to enroll in a distance learning program, confirm which, if any, resources will be available online ahead of time.

Ultimately, enrolling in an online legal studies program is a completely viable means of earning a degree. Assuming the schools are properly accredited, graduates should have little difficulty finding employment.

Are Legal Studies Programs in High Demand?

Overall, the outlook for legal studies professionals working in the United States is promising. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of legal occupations is projected to grow by 5% from 2019 to 2029. This is faster than the national average for all other professions and will result in the addition of about 67,600 new jobs nationwide. The primary explanation for the anticipated job growth is an increased demand for paralegals and legal assistants by law firms.

It’s also worth noting that more and more individuals, businesses, and governments are requiring legal services. This means that demand for qualified lawyers capable of assisting with a wide variety of issues will continue to rise. As a result of this projected growth, many colleges and universities offer credible programs in legal studies. Whether you want to study on campus or online, you should have little trouble finding a program that meets your needs.

Legal studies degrees also provide a good starting-point for those interested in starting a law-related career. The broad nature of the curriculum makes it easy for students to gain a basic understanding of various facets of the field. Graduates can then use the skills and knowledge they acquired to find employment or use their degrees to pursue further education.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Legal Studies?

What you can do with a degree in legal studies will greatly depend upon the occupation you plan to pursue, as well as the level of education you achieve. Because options are varied, there are a number of potential careers to choose from within this field.

Legal studies graduates will have the ability to work in both the public and private sectors. From offering legal aid to serving as a correctional officer, there are numerous career pathways available to individuals with this degree. Law professionals can also find employment in a variety of different industries including legal services, local government, grant-making, lessors of non-financial intangible assets, and the federal executive branch. Graduates can choose to find employment that focuses on local issues or federal matters.

The most obvious career pathway after earning a bachelor’s degree in legal studies is to become a paralegal, legal assistant, claims adjuster, mediator, or arbitrator. Four-year programs are generally designed to provide students with an introduction to various advanced topics in the field. This degree is not enough, however, to qualify graduates to practice law. In fact, even master’s degrees in legal studies are insufficient to meet this goal.

While a master’s in legal studies will provide the knowledge and skills necessary to become a contract compliance officer or social service manager, those who intend to become lawyers, judges, and hearing officers must first earn a degree from a law school and pass the bar exam. Lawyers can have undergraduate degrees in many different fields. Common options include legal studies, history, business, and political science.

Other career options include conciliator, court reporter, simultaneous captioner, etc. Regardless of the job selected, professionals in this field tend to gain a number of easily transferrable skills, making them highly marketable in the job market.

Some of the most in-demand skills include:

Communication
Experience with Computers
Organization
Research
Problem-Solving
Attention to Detail

Legal Studies Graduates Earn More After College

Overall, the earning potential for professionals with legal studies degrees is above average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for legal occupations was $84,900 in 2020, which is significantly higher than the median annual wage of $41,950 as reported for all occupations. Even paralegals and legal assistants, who tend to make less that many professions in the field, earned a median annual wage of $52,900. Lawyers, who are on the higher end of the scale, made an annual wage of $126,900 in 2020.

According to PayScale, the average salary for entry-level paralegals and legal assistants with a single year of experience is around $41,000. This figure is only just below the median annual wage and will to rise in subsequent years. After 20 or more years of working in this position, the average salary becomes $59,000.

Salary is also often dependent upon location. Some states pay legal occupations more than others. Prospects for legal studies professionals are best in California, New York, and the District of Columbia. Conversely, the states of Mississippi, Arizona, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, and Wyoming have some of the lowest salaries in the industry.

Search Programs Offering Legal Studies Majors

While bachelor’s and master’s degrees in legal studies can result in well-paying employment opportunities, professionals who attend law school will have the best financial prospects. Becoming a lawyer may take as long as seven years, however, so it’s important to factor in the cost of education when considering your ultimate career goals.

FAQs

What are the admission requirements for legal studies students?
While every college and university is different, admissions requirements for incoming freshman are relatively standardized across the board. Still, you should always review prerequisites carefully prior to submitting applications.

In most cases, you can expect to provide some variation of the following:
- Official High School Transcripts or College Transcripts
- Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Application and Fees
- Letters of Recommendation
- Personal Statement or Supplemental Essay
- Academic Work Samples
- Scores from College Entrance Exams (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT etc.)
How long will it take to complete a law degree?
The length of time needed to complete a legal studies degree will depend on the type of degree you have enrolled in. Upper-level degrees may take longer to finish, but graduates often enjoy higher salaries, more job security, and increased promotion opportunities.

Associate degrees in legal studies are available and consist of approximately 60 credit hours. In most cases, a course load like this takes full-time students about two years to complete.

Many legal professionals start their academic careers with a bachelor’s degree, however. These programs typically consist of 120 credit hours and require approximately four years for full-time students to complete.

Master’s degree programs are also available, consisting of approximately 60 credit hours. These typically take full-time students two years to complete, although some may require more or less time.

Individuals interested in pursuing careers at lawyers or judges will need to enroll in law school. Most of these programs require about three years to complete. This is in addition to the four years spent earning a bachelor’s degree prior to admittance.

Sources:

Related Top College Resources

Top 50 Best Affordable Legal Studies Schools