Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies: Best Programs by State

Gadsden State Community College

Business Department
Gadsden, Alabama
Website

Paralegal, Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Estimated Tuition: $204 per credit hour (in-state), $337 per credit hour (out-of-state), before fees, across a 71-credit program, that works out to roughly $14,484 in-state, $23,927 out-of-state.

• Helps Facilitate National Certification: National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal (CP), Gadsden serves as a testing site and provides recent graduates with review courses and test preparation materials at no charge
• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval status
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to Be Below the State Average for Public Schools

Gadsden State Community College describes its 71-credit AAS in Paralegal as one of just a few two-year paralegal programs in Alabama approved by the American Bar Association. The college is also an authorized testing site for NALA’s Certified Paralegal exam, and it provides recent graduates with review courses and test preparation materials at no charge. Eligibility to sit for that exam is determined by NALA rather than by the college. We love that the classes here are offered in both the day and evening, and many more are offered online. Want more? The faculty here are experienced attorneys and paralegals, and a required internship allows students to flex their newly acquired skills in real-world settings.

Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal Studies

(Also offers a Minor in Paralegal Studies)

Estimated Tuition: $241 per credit hour (Alaska resident), $841 per credit hour (non-resident), 2025-26 lower-division rates, across the 60-credit program, that works out to roughly $14,460 for Alaska residents, $50,460 for non-residents.

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Offers the Flexibility of Some Online Courses
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status

An ABA-approved paralegal program, delivered in a hybrid format, is housed at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Community and Technical College. Choose the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and you can complete the courses of the AAS Paralegal Studies program at a number of different locations, including on the downtown Fairbanks campus. You can also complete a mix of online and in-class courses for the best in convenience and flexibility. This program consists of 60 credits and covers contemporary legal topics, along with a paralegal studies internship, which includes 150 hours of work under the supervision of an attorney. The minor in paralegal studies allows students majoring in other areas, like political science and criminal justice, to develop some entry-level legal services skills. We love the many student services offered here, including academic and financial aid advising, tutoring, and wireless study lounges.

Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies

Estimated Tuition: as low as $97 per credit hour for Maricopa County residents, with out-of-county and out-of-state surcharges on top, plus a $15 registration fee each semester. Across the 62 to 67 credit program that is roughly $6,014 to $6,499 at the county rate. Online tuition is capped at 11 credits or $2,750 per semester

• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Requires 62 to 67 Credits
• Meets One Day or Evening per Week for Paralegal Courses, With an Online Option for Arizona Residents
• Provides Field Experience Through an Internship
• Houses an On-Campus Courtroom Facility for Trial Support Skills
• Accepts Legal Specialty Transfer Credit Only From Other ABA-Approved Programs

Phoenix College describes its program as the only ABA-approved paralegal program in northern Arizona, and it is built around people who are working. Paralegal classes meet one day or one evening a week, which makes a full course load manageable alongside a job, and an online option is open to students who live in Arizona. The college maintains an on-campus courtroom facility where students practice trial support work in a realistic setting, which is an unusual asset for a two-year program.

Two details worth knowing. Legal specialty credits transfer in only from other ABA-approved programs, so credits from a non-approved program will not carry. And the online tuition cap means a heavier online load costs proportionally less, since charges stop at 11 credits or $2,750 in a semester.

Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies

Estimated Tuition: $110 per credit hour (in-district), $172 (out-of-district and contiguous county), $189 (out-of-state), $240 (international), plus about $43 per credit in general student fees and roughly $170 per semester in registration, infrastructure and activity fees. NWACC does not publish a credit total for the degree, so on the standard 60 credits an associate takes, tuition and per-credit fees come to roughly $9,180 in-district and $13,920 out-of-state

• Holds ABA-Approval Status, Continuously Since 2008
• Taught Entirely by Practicing Local Attorneys, Ten of Them, Each Teaching in the Area of Law They Practice
• Offers the Flexibility of Day, Evening, and Online Classes
• Requires at Least Nine Semester Credits of Paralegal Specialty Coursework in a Synchronous Format, Either In Person or by Live Video, With No Asynchronous Credit Counting Toward It
• Requires Transfer Students to Complete a Minimum of Twelve Semester Hours of Legal Specialty Coursework at NWACC
• Covers Litigation, Family Law, Wills and Trusts, Real Estate Law, Business Organizations, Legal Research and Writing, and Law Office Technology

The faculty list is what makes this program stand out. Every paralegal course at NWACC is taught by a practicing local attorney working in the area of law they teach, and the roster runs ten deep. Program coordinator Kim Flanery Coats practiced at both large and small firms, worked in-house in a corporate legal department, and taught legal research and writing as a law school associate professor. Others include partners and of-counsel attorneys at firms across Rogers and Fort Smith, a judicial law clerk for a Washington County circuit judge, a former Pro Bono Director at Legal Aid of Arkansas, and the Director of Compliance and Ethics Operations at Walmart. For a program sitting in Bentonville, that last connection is not incidental.

Two program rules are worth reading before you enroll. At least nine semester credits of paralegal specialty coursework must be completed synchronously, meaning in person or through live video where students and instructor interact in real time, and asynchronous online coursework cannot count toward that requirement. That threshold comes from the ABA standard for approving programs delivered online rather than from any Arkansas rule. Transfer students also need a minimum of twelve semester hours of legal specialty coursework taken at NWACC, and the program does not grant credit by portfolio or examination. Classes run days, evenings, and online, and the curriculum covers litigation, family law, wills and trusts, real estate, business organizations, legal research and writing, and the technology used in a modern law office.

Campus, formerly MTI College

Sacramento, California
Website

Paralegal Associate Degree

Estimated Tuition: the catalog prices Year One at $19,257, plus a $50 application fee and about $1,149 in books and supplies. The full program runs 110.75 quarter credits across two years, so ask for the current Year Two schedule before you commit

• Member Institution of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA), Whose Credentials Are the CORE Registered Paralegal (CRP) and the Registered Paralegal (RP). NFPA Sets Exam Eligibility, and School Membership Does Not Confer It
• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Offers the Flexibility of Some Online Courses (via an OnlinePlus alternative delivery format)
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status

In the world of paralegal programs, the paralegal associate degree at Campus, formerly MTI College, shines bright. This premier training program boasts ABA approval and the best in accessibility and convenience, thanks to its on-campus and partially online course delivery. For more than 50 years, the school has been delivering high-quality vocational training programs, and this two-year course of study is no exception. Knowledgeable and experienced faculty, many of whom are practicing attorneys and paralegals, are among the reasons why this program earned the top spot for the best paralegal associate degree program in California.

Associate of Applied Science – Paralegal

Estimated Tuition: $299.75 per credit hour for Colorado residents on campus, which drops to $183.75 after the state College Opportunity Fund stipend, and $754.25 per credit hour for non-residents, 2026-27, across the 60-credit program. Paralegal courses carry a $63.19 per term LexisNexis fee. That works out to roughly $11,025 at the resident rate after the COF stipend, $45,255 for non-residents.

• Arapahoe Community College is a member of both NALA and NFPA and encourages graduates to pursue entry-level certification:
  • National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal (CP)
  • National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) CORE Registered Paralegal (CRP), earned by passing NFPA’s Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE)
• Promotes Educational Excellence as a Member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE)
• Closely Connected to the Local Professional Community as a Member of the Rocky Mountain Paralegal Association (RMPA)
• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Provides the Flexibility of Evening and Weekend Classes
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status

Do you want a program that has it all? Then look no further than Arapahoe Community College’s AAS in Paralegal, which features 60 credits, esteemed ABA program approval, and a convenient course delivery. In fact, complete your program here, and you’ll have the flexibility of attending day, night, or weekend courses. In addition to its comprehensive course of study that will prepare you to take on an entry-level paralegal job in a variety of legal settings, this program includes a required internship, which will give you the valuable experience you need to seamlessly transition from the classroom to the workplace. We also love this school’s career services, which include job search, resume preparation, and interviewing assistance through its ACC Center and Transfer Center.

Associate of Science – Paralegal

Estimated Tuition: $192 per credit hour (in-state), $289 (New England regional), $578 (out-of-state), the single CT State schedule, plus a tiered College Services Fee. The paralegal degree runs 61 to 62 credits across the CT State system. That works out to roughly $11,712 to $11,904 in-state, $35,258 to $35,836 out-of-state.

• CT State Manchester encourages graduates to pursue voluntary national credentials, whose eligibility rules are set by the issuing organizations:
  • National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal (CP)
  • National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) CORE Registered Paralegal (CRP), earned by passing NFPA’s Paralegal CORE Competency Exam (PCCE)
• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of a Cooperative Education/Work Experience Elective
• Provides the Flexibility of Evening Classes
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status

CT State Community College, Manchester, formerly Manchester Community College, has an AS in Paralegal Studies with a long history of success. After all, it’s held the prestigious ABA approval since 1984. Complete your associate degree here and you’ll be able to complete the majority of your classes in the evening, allowing you to continue to meet your professional obligations. We also love this program for its cooperative education/work experience, a chance for students to apply their classroom theory in a real-world setting. In addition to site placement, this experience includes valuable seminars in job-related interpersonal skills, such as communication skills, time and stress management, business ethics, leadership, and career advancement.

Associate Degree – Paralegal

Estimated Tuition: $156.75 per credit hour (Delaware resident), $392.30 (out-of-state), 2026-27. At 15 or more credits in a semester it becomes a flat $2,351.25 in-state or $5,884.50 out-of-state, so a full-time student pays less than the per-credit rate across 62 credits would suggest. Across roughly 4 full-time semesters that is about $9,405 in-state, $23,538 out-of-state.

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Program Includes 7 Legal Elective Courses and 1 Support Elective in Vital Office and Communication Skills
• Designed as a Connected Degree Program for a Seamless Transition to a Paralegal or Other Bachelor’s Program
• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to Be Below the State Average for Public Schools

Available at both the Georgetown and Dover campuses, Delaware Tech’s 62-credit associate degree in Paralegal is your opportunity to become a valued member of the legal team, whether in a governmental agency, court system, bank, insurance company, corporation, or private law firm. Delaware Tech has even undergone the rigorous ABA review process and proudly bears the ABA stamp of approval. Delaware Technical Community College has earned a reputation for being an educational leader in the state and a favorite among Delawareans for offering top-quality programs that are both flexible and affordable.

Associate of Science – Paralegal Studies

Estimated Total Program Cost: about $6,500 in-state, based on roughly $101.60 per credit hour including fees across 64 credits

• Offers an Optional 144-Hour Practicum as a Program Elective, Not a Graduation Requirement
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Offers the Flexibility of Evening Classes
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to be $100 Below the State Average for Public Schools

Broward College’s 64-credit AS in Paralegal Studies boasts respected ABA approval, so you can feel confident knowing that this program has everything you need to succeed as a paralegal in any legal environment. For example, the curriculum of the program was developed by industry leaders to ensure that the courses have valuable, real-world applications. There’s plenty more to love about this paralegal program, including delivery at both the North Campus in Coconut Creek and the South Campus in Pembroke Pines, and flexible scheduling options, with courses available in the evening for working professionals. Broward College rounds out this course of study with career services that help students move from the classroom to the courtroom, and with an optional 144-hour practicum taken as a program elective under attorney supervision. It isn’t required for the degree, so if hands-on placement matters to you, plan for it deliberately.

Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies

Estimated Tuition: $5,280 per year (Georgia resident), $20,400 per year (non-resident), 2026-27, plus $1,116 per year in fees, across the 60-credit degree. Over two years that is roughly $10,560 for Georgia residents and $40,800 for non-residents, before fees

• Offers the Flexibility of Some Online Courses (most paralegal courses are offered in the evening and/or online, while general education courses are offered in the day, evening, on weekends, and/or fully/partially online)
• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship and Practicum
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status

There’s no secret why Clayton State University came out on top in Georgia for its 60-credit AS in Paralegal Studies program, as it’s just the fact that its among an elite few in the state to have earned the prestigious ABA stamp of approval, a sign of quality in curriculum and student resources. We love this program for its outstanding faculty, all of whom are attorneys, with decades of combined teaching experience between them, and its flexible course delivery, which can be completed either fully online or in a hybrid format, combining online courses with day and evening classes.

Associate in Science – Paralegal (60 to 62 credits)

Estimated Tuition: $131 per credit hour (Hawaiʻi resident), $345 (non-resident), $196.50 (Pacific Island jurisdiction), across a 60 to 62 credit program, that works out to roughly $7,860 to $8,122 for Hawaiʻi residents, $20,700 to $21,390 for non-residents.

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status, Continuously Since 1978
• Requires at Least Nine Credits of Legal Specialty Coursework Through Synchronous Instruction
• Articulates to a BA in Public Administration at the University of Hawaii West Oahu

ABA approval is just the start of what Kapiʻolani Community College’s 60 to 62 credit AS in Paralegal offers. At least nine of those credits in legal specialty courses must be completed through synchronous instruction. That threshold comes from the ABA’s standard for approving programs delivered online, not from any rule applied to you as a paralegal, and the practical effect is that this is not a self-paced program. The college describes its program as the only Hawaiʻi-based paralegal program offered in the state, and it has been running since 1975, consistently producing qualified and competent paralegals who have gone on to serve the local community. Note the wording on that claim. Hawaiʻi residents can and do enroll in out-of-state online programs, so it speaks to programs based in the islands. The program has held continuous ABA approval since 1978, and the University of Hawaiʻi describes it as the only ABA-approved paralegal program in the state. We love the comprehensive career services offered to students here, as well as the option to transfer your associate’s in paralegal studies toward a BA in Public Administration (with concentration options in General Public Administration or Justice Administration) at the University of Hawaii West Oahu.

Legal Studies, Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Estimated Tuition: $141.50 per credit hour (in-district), $401.50 (out-of-district), $477.00 (out-of-state), 2025-26, plus a $22 per credit universal fee, across the 60-credit program, that works out to roughly $8,490 in-district, $24,090 out-of-district, $28,620 out-of-state.

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to be $4,900, Below the State Average for Public Schools

Harper College’s AAS in Paralegal Studies is Illinois’ gem for aspiring paralegals. This program boasts prestigious ABA approval and a comprehensive course of study that features a solid foundation in the litigation process and the practice of law. We love that this program includes an internship for students with no previous legal experience. This valuable field experience will help sharpen your competencies in the fast-paced environment of a real-world legal setting while ensuring you get the kind of guidance you need to further develop your skills and make a seamless transition from the classroom to the workplace. Complete this 60 credit-hour program, and you’ll be qualified to serve as a competent and trustworthy member of the legal team in just two short years, all at a price that simply can’t be beat.

Paralegal Program, Associate Degree With Paralegal Certificate

Estimated Tuition: $106 per credit hour for Johnson County residents for Fall 2026, made up of $88 in tuition and $18 in fees, rising to $128 for other Kansas counties, $158 at the metro rate, and $250 out-of-state. Across the 60 credits students without a prior degree complete, that is about $6,360 at the county rate

• Holds ABA-Approval Status, Continuously for More Than 40 Years
• Runs 32 Credits for Students Who Already Hold a Degree, or 60 Credits Combined for Students Who Do Not
• Requires at Least Nine Credits Through Synchronous Instruction, On Campus or Live Online
• Requires a Minimum of 18 Legal Specialty Credits Taken at JCCC
• Uses Selective Admission Rather Than Open Enrollment

Read the credential structure here before you apply, because it is different from most entries on this list. JCCC delivers its ABA-approved paralegal training as a Paralegal Certificate. Students who already hold a degree take the 32-credit certificate on its own. Students who do not earn the certificate alongside a Liberal Arts associate degree, 60 credits combined. The ABA lists the program at the associate level, and it is the only ABA-approved associate-level paralegal option in Kansas, but the degree itself is Liberal Arts rather than Paralegal Studies.

What you get for that is a program the ABA has approved continuously for more than 40 years, with selective admission rather than open enrollment, at least nine credits delivered synchronously either on campus or by live online class, and a requirement that at least 18 of your legal specialty credits be earned at JCCC rather than transferred in.

Associate of Applied Science – Paralegal Studies

Estimated Tuition: $443 per credit hour through EKU Online, charged at the same rate regardless of residency, across the 64-credit program, which works out to about $28,352

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship/Residency
• Delivered Fully Online, With Live Scheduled Sessions for Part of the Legal Specialty Coursework
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Promotes Educational Excellence as a Member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE)
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to be $590 Below State Average for Public Schools

Whether you want to start or advance your career in the paralegal field, Eastern Kentucky has you covered. Eastern Kentucky University’s AAS in Paralegal Studies is now delivered fully online. The two-part campus residency the program once required was retired after the ABA amended its guidelines, effective January 1, 2020, to let approved programs run online provided a minimum block of legal specialty coursework is taught synchronously. That is a program approval standard the school has to meet, not a rule imposed on you as a paralegal, and in practice it means some class sessions happen live on a schedule rather than at your own pace. We’re also fans of the curriculum of this program, which features such contemporary topics as litigation, computer applications, criminal law, and family law, as well as the school’s active job placement assistance for all graduating students.

Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies

Estimated Tuition: $138.96 per credit hour, the college’s published flat rate across in-person and online courses. Across the 60-credit program that is about $8,338

• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Requires 60 Credit Hours, Typically Two Years of Full-Time Study
• Requires at Least Nine Credits of Legal Specialty Coursework Through Synchronous Instruction, So the Program Is Not Self-Paced
• Charges One Flat Per-Credit Rate Whether You Take Courses On Campus or Online
• Built as a Career-Entry Degree Rather Than a Transfer Degree

Baton Rouge Community College offers Louisiana’s ABA-approved associate degree in paralegal studies, and the structure is refreshingly clear. Sixty credit hours, roughly two years full time, with general education alongside legal specialty coursework in areas like litigation, criminal law, legal research, and law office technology. What we like most is the flat per-credit tuition. BRCC charges the same rate whether you sit in a classroom or take the course online, which removes the pricing penalty some colleges attach to distance learning. Note the synchronous requirement. At least nine credits of legal specialty coursework happen in real time with an instructor. That number comes from the ABA’s program approval standard rather than from any Louisiana rule, so plan your schedule around live sessions. BRCC is candid that this degree is designed to put you into the workforce rather than to transfer into a bachelor’s program, so if a four-year degree is your goal, ask about articulation before you enroll.

Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies

(Business, General, or Litigation specialty options)

Estimated Tuition: $135 per credit hour (Anne Arundel County), $317 (other Maryland counties), $459 (out-of-state and international), 2026-27, across the 60-credit degree. General student fees are published separately. That works out to roughly $8,100 for county residents, $19,020 for other Maryland residents, $27,540 out-of-state.

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Offers the Option to Specialize in General, Business, or Litigation
• Holds ABA-Approval Status

Anne Arundel Community College’s Legal Studies Institute produces successful paralegal graduates through a 60-credit degree. The AAS in Paralegal Studies program boasts the prestigious ABA stamp of approval and comes with the option of taking a general course of paralegal studies or specializing in Business or Litigation. In the Business specialty, you’ll enjoy courses in legal research and writing, business, and tort law…in the General specialty, you’ll learn about legal research and writing, law office technology, and ethics…and in the Litigation specialty, you’ll enjoy in-depth study in areas such as criminal law, evidence procedure, domestic relations, and tort law. We also love the schools’ student services, which include tutoring, academic advising, and testing to transfer services.

Associate of Science – Paralegal Studies

Estimated Tuition: $233 per credit hour (Massachusetts resident), $245.50 (New England regional), $465 (out-of-state), Fall 2026. Those figures already fold in the general and technology fees, and the paralegal program adds $25 per term. The degree runs 60 credits. That works out to roughly $13,980 for Massachusetts residents, $27,900 out-of-state.

• Provides Valuable Field Experience Through a Supervised Legal Internship, With Internships Requiring at Least 120 Hours per Semester
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Part of the MassTransfer A2B Program Facilitating Streamlined Matriculation to Bachelor’s Programs at Local Colleges
• Holds ABA-Approval Status

North Shore Community College’s 60-credit AS in Paralegal Studies earned a spot as one of Massachusetts’ best paralegal programs, thanks to its ABA approval and its supervised legal internship, which under the college’s internship framework runs at least 120 hours in a semester across a variety of legal settings. We also love this program for its fantastic transfer opportunities, as North Shore Community College has many transfer agreements in place that allow you to seamlessly transfer to a four-year college/university upon graduation.

Legal Studies, Associate of Business (A.B.)

Estimated Tuition: $122 per billing hour for in-district residents, $244 out-of-district, $366 out-of-state. Lansing bills by billing hour rather than credit hour, and the degree carries 60 academic credits billed as 62 billing hours, so the in-district total is roughly $7,564 and out-of-district about $15,128

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Provides Networking and Enrichment Opportunities Through the Paralegal Association Student Group
• Holds ABA-Approval Status

Michigan’s top paralegal program boasts ABA approval and an internship designed to round out a comprehensive course of study and prepare students for the profession through a real-world experience. Lansing Community College’s Associate of Business in Legal Studies features in-depth legal specialty classes taught by experienced professionals in the field, so you can be sure you’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in any number of legal settings.

Associate of Science in Paralegal

Estimated Tuition: $252.04 per credit in combined tuition and fees, the same rate regardless of residency, or $262.22 per credit for fully online courses, across the 60-credit program, that works out to roughly $15,122 in combined tuition and fees.

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to be $770 Below the State Average for Public Schools

There are plenty of reasons why North Hennepin Community College’s 60-credit AS in Paralegal came out on top as Minnesota’s top paralegal program: ABA approval, instructors who are also licensed attorneys, and affordable tuition, one of the lowest in the state. We also love that students in this program have access to peer paralegal tutors and an elective intellectual property course, a dynamic area of law focused on copyrights, patents, and trade secrets. Plus, complete your associate degree in paralegal studies here, and you can seamlessly transfer it to Hamline University’s Legal Studies major, Metropolitan State University’s Individualized Studies major, or Winona State University’s Legal Studies program.

Associate of Science in Legal Assistant

Estimated Tuition: $328 per credit hour in-state and $690 out-of-state for 2026-27, with online courses adding a $55 per credit instructional support and technology fee. Across the 60-credit degree that is roughly $19,680 in-state and $41,400 out-of-state

• Holds ABA-Approval Status Since 1986
• Described by the University as the Only ABA-Approved Program at a Public Institution in Missouri
• Requires 60 Credits
• Requires an Internship, With Students Placing Themselves Through an Approved Agency List
• Requires a Minimum of Nine Credit Hours in a Synchronous or Traditional Classroom, So the Degree Is Not Available Fully Online
• Charter Member of the American Association for Paralegal Education

Missouri Western has held ABA approval since 1986 and describes itself as the only ABA-approved paralegal program at a public institution in Missouri. It is also a charter member of the American Association for Paralegal Education, which is a longer institutional commitment than most programs on this list can claim.

The internship is required rather than optional, and the structure is worth understanding. Students find their own placement from a list of approved agencies, which means more legwork than a program that assigns you a site, but it also means you choose the practice area you want experience in. Note that the degree cannot be completed fully online. At least nine credit hours must be taken in a synchronous or traditional classroom. The associate also ladders directly into the university Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Legal Studies emphasis, so continuing on does not mean transferring out.

Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies (APLG)

Estimated Tuition: $1,046 per credit hour for 2026-27, charged at the same rate whether you enroll full time, part time, above 18 credits, or through distance learning. Full-time tuition runs $32,186 a year plus $1,200 in fees, so roughly $66,772 across two years. Military and law enforcement students pay $250 per credit hour

• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Requires 28 Credits of Paralegal Coursework in the Major. That Is the Major Only, Not the Degree Total, Since an Associate of Science Also Carries General Education Requirements
• Requires Field Experience in a Law Firm, Judge’s Office, or Corporation
• Offers the Flexibility of On-Campus or Distance Learning, With at Least Ten Legal Specialty Credits Taken in a Traditional Classroom
• Runs a Paralegal Advisory Board Focused on Program Quality and Relevance
• Holds Agreements With the US Army Judge Advocate General Legal Center and School and the US Air Force Air University to Help Active Duty and Reserve Paralegals Earn an ABA-Approved Degree
• Charges a Military and Law Enforcement Rate of $250 per Credit Hour, Roughly a Quarter of the Standard Rate

The University of Providence carries Montana’s ABA-approved associate degree in paralegal studies, and the thing that sets it apart is who it is built to serve. One number to read carefully. The catalog lists 28 credits for the paralegal major, which is the major requirement rather than the degree total, so general education sits on top of it. The cost figures below come from UP’s published annual tuition, not from that 28-credit count. UP holds agreements with the US Army Judge Advocate General Legal Center and School and with US Air Force Air University, so active duty and reserve paralegals can convert military training toward an ABA-approved degree, and the military and law enforcement tuition rate of $250 per credit hour makes that pathway genuinely affordable against a standard rate of $1,046. Program faculty include Professor Kottel and Professor Edward Lucas, a retired Air Force colonel who coordinates the military programs.

Read the delivery terms closely before you enroll. The degree can be completed on campus or at a distance, but ABA approval requires at least ten semester credits of legal specialty coursework in a traditional classroom, either taken at UP or transferred in from another ABA-approved program, and depending on how your transfer credits evaluate you may need to attend three classes on campus. The program also requires field experience in a law firm, a judge’s office, or a corporation, and a Paralegal Advisory Board reviews the curriculum for quality and relevance. One transfer note worth knowing: you must complete at least 40% of your paralegal coursework, or 15 credits, whichever is greater, at UP.

Associate in Applied Science: Legal Studies – Paralegal (LSPAR)

Estimated Tuition: $77.00 per credit hour all in for Nebraska residents and $113.00 for non-residents and international students, beginning Fall 2026. That is tuition of $72 or $108 plus a $5 per credit facility fee. MCC bills in quarter credit hours and doesn’t publish a total for this degree, so on the 90 quarter credits that equate to a standard 60-semester-credit associate, that comes to roughly $6,930 for residents and $10,170 for non-residents

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Offers the Flexibility of Hybrid Course Delivery
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status for the AAS in Legal Studies – Paralegal and for the Paralegal Accelerated Certificate of Achievement
• Builds Stackable Credentials, With Four Career Certificates Feeding a Certificate of Achievement That Feeds the Associate Degree
• Runs a Legal Studies Advisory Committee Drawn From Local Employers Including Mutual of Omaha, Baird Holm, Koley Jessen, Legal Aid of Nebraska, and the Omaha Bar Association
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to be $100 Below State Average for Public Schools

ABA approval is just one of the reasons why the AAS in Legal Studies at Metropolitan Community College is a great place to complete your paralegal education in Nebraska. This comprehensive, two-year program, offered at the South Omaha campus and partially online, provides you with everything you need to land an entry-level job in law-related settings, such as law firms, corporations, and courthouses, among others. We really love this program’s internship experience, which allows students to work in a law office or other organization under the supervision of an attorney to gain valuable, on-the-job experience. Watch which credential you enroll in. MCC states that ABA approval covers the Associate in Applied Science in Legal Studies, Paralegal, and the Paralegal Accelerated Certificate of Achievement. The college’s separate Legal Professional Certificate of Achievement is not an ABA-approved option and, in MCC’s own words, is not intended to prepare students to work as paralegals. The credentials stack, so four career certificates feed the Legal Professional certificate, which in turn feeds the associate degree, but only the degree and the accelerated certificate carry the approval. What’s more is that as a student of Metropolitan Community College, you’ll enjoy access to all student services, which include advising, counseling, tutoring, career services, and more.

Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal/Law

Estimated Tuition: the TMCC catalog lists $136.25 per credit for lower-division courses, plus roughly $19.50 per credit in technology, student association and health fees and a $10 academic success fee each semester. On the standard 60 credits an associate takes, that is about $8,175 in tuition. Rates are set by the Nevada Board of Regents and the system registration rate is published separately at $127.00 for 2025-26 rising to $133.50 for 2026-27, so confirm the figure for your term

• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Described by the College as the Only ABA-Approved Program in Nevada
• Runs Typically Five Semesters
• Offers Many Required Legal Specialty Courses Fully Online or On Campus, With at Least Nine Credits in a Live Format
• Provides Field Experience Through Practical Internships
• Taught by Licensed Practicing Attorneys and Certified Paralegals

TMCC describes its program as the only ABA-approved paralegal program in Nevada, and the training is unusually current on the technology side. Students work in Lexis+ and Lexis+ AI as well as Westlaw, with access to the Nevada Supreme Court Law Library, which is a meaningful advantage for anyone who wants to walk into a firm already fluent in the research tools.

Faculty are licensed practicing attorneys and certified paralegals rather than career academics. Many required legal specialty courses run either fully online or on campus, though at least nine credits have to be taken in a live format, whether in person or by synchronous online class, because that is what ABA approval requires of an online program. Credits also transfer into Nevada four-year colleges through the system associate-to-bachelor pathway.

Associate in Science – Paralegal Studies

Estimated Tuition: $238 per credit hour (New Hampshire resident), $357 (New England regional), $523 (out-of-state), 2025-26, plus a $25 per credit comprehensive fee. The program runs 67 to 68 credits. That works out to roughly $17,621 to $17,884 for New Hampshire residents, $36,716 to $37,264 out-of-state.

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Offers the Flexibility of Full-time or Part-time Scheduling
• Holds ABA-Approval Status

NHTI, Concord’s Community College, formerly New Hampshire Technical Institute, offers an AS in Paralegal Studies that boasts the best in academic excellence (it’s ABA approved) and flexibility (most courses are offered in both the day and evenings to accommodate working professionals). Complete your associate degree here and you’ll be trained to serve as a competent and qualified paralegal in a variety of legal settings, including banks, corporations, government agencies, insurance companies, and law firms, thanks to a comprehensive course of study and an internship experience, where you’ll be able to gain valuable, on-the-job experience in a law office or other legal office environment.

Legal Studies and Professional Ethics, Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Estimated Tuition: $260.55 per credit hour (Mercer County resident), $420.25 (other New Jersey residents), $450.85 (out-of-state and international), Summer 2026 through Spring 2027. Those rates already include the college and technology fees. The degree requires a minimum of 60 credits. That works out to roughly $15,633 for Mercer County residents, $25,215 for other New Jersey residents, $27,051 out-of-state.

• Provides Valuable Field Experience In the Form of an Internship
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Offers the Flexibility of Evening Courses, and Full-time or Part-time Scheduling
• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to be $1,300 Below State Average for Public Schools

ABA approval is just the beginning of what Mercer County Community College’s 60-credit associate degree offers the aspiring paralegal. This associate degree program is career-oriented, preparing graduates to immediately begin serving as trusted and valuable members of the legal team. It’s also designed for working professionals, with all of the specialized paralegal courses offered in the evening, and most of the remaining courses offered in both the day and evening. Plus, depending on your professional commitments, you have the option of completing this course on a full- or part-time basis. We also love the comprehensive career services offered here, which help both students and alumni find meaningful careers. Just some of the services offered include one-on-one career counseling, resume preparation assistance, and career workshops offered throughout the year.

Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal (Legal Assistant Studies)
(Also offers a Certificate of Completion in Legal Assistant Studies)

Estimated Tuition: $48 per credit hour (New Mexico resident, in-district), $59 (resident, out-of-district), $121 (non-resident), Fall 2026, plus a $15 per credit technology and facility fee. Tuition caps at 12 credits, so credits 13 through 18 in a semester cost nothing extra. The AAS runs 62 credits and the certificate 33. That works out to roughly $3,906 in-district, $4,588 out-of-district, $8,432 for non-residents.

• Clovis CC is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
• The Program Can Be Customized By Selecting Electives in 6 Distinct Areas of Law, Among Other Relevant Options
• Annual In-District Tuition Estimated to Be About $240 Below the In-State Average for Public Schools in New Mexico

Students in the 62-credit AAS in Legal Assistant Studies at Clovis can expect to get the best education available in the southwest when it comes to preparing for a paralegal career, and at one of the best prices around. If you’re looking for a degree that will give you the practical skills law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments expect from their paralegals, and you’re looking for a great value, then Clovis Community College should be at the top of your list. We selected this regionally accredited school as our favorite in New Mexico because it offers a solid grounding in core paralegal skills while also recognizing the expanding role of the paralegal. We also love the fact that it gives you exactly what you need to hit the ground running at a price you can afford. One state-specific note worth knowing. New Mexico Rule 20-115 NMRA sets out who may use the paralegal title in the state, through several alternative routes that include a paralegal degree, a certificate from an ABA-approved program, a bachelor’s degree plus a year of supervised law-related experience, or a longer stretch of supervised experience on its own. It does not license or register paralegals and there is nothing to file. It governs the title and the work performed under attorney supervision, and it applies in New Mexico only.

Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal

Estimated Tuition: $6,330 per year for New York residents and $12,130 for out-of-state students at full time, effective Fall 2025, or $242 per credit part time for residents and $484 non-resident. Across two years that is about $12,660 in-state and $24,260 out-of-state

• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Requires 64 Credits
• Allows the Course Sequence to Be Modified for Evening and Part-Time Students
• Requires a Minimum of Nine Credits Completed in a Traditional or Remote Format at Nassau
• Caps Transfer Credit at Nine Credits of Paralegal Specialty Coursework
• Requires a Grade of C or Better in Every Law Course

New York has more ABA-approved associate programs than any other state on this list, and Nassau earns the spot on scale and stability. The 64-credit AAS runs through the Legal Studies department at one of the largest community colleges in the SUNY system, and the course sequence can be reworked for evening and part-time students rather than assuming a full-time day schedule.

Two rules shape how you plan it. A minimum of nine credits must be completed in a traditional or remote format at Nassau, and transfer credit for paralegal specialty coursework is capped at nine credits, so most of the legal training has to happen here. Every law course also requires a grade of C or better to count. If Nassau is not convenient, Suffolk County, Westchester, and SUNY Rockland all hold ABA approval at the associate level, as do LaGuardia and City Tech within CUNY.

Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal Technology

Estimated Tuition: $76 per credit hour (in-state), $268 (out-of-state), set statewide by the North Carolina Community College System and capped per semester at $1,216 and $4,288 once you reach 16 credits, across the 72-credit program, that works out to roughly $5,472 in-state, $19,296 out-of-state.

• Promotes Professional Opportunities and State Certification Through Membership in the Pitt Community College Paralegal Association (PCCPA), in affiliation with the North Carolina Paralegal Association (NCPA)
• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Offers the Flexibility of a Hybrid Option
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status and Approval from the North Carolina State Bar
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to be $440 Below State Average for Public Schools

The 72-credit AAS in Paralegal Technology through Pitt Community College offers the best for working professionals, thanks to the program’s hybrid delivery that includes both day/evening classes in a traditional classroom environment, as well as a variety of online classes. But it doesn’t end there. This program holds prestigious ABA approval and is also approved by the North Carolina State Bar. We also love the comprehensive student services offered at Pitt, which include assistance with job searches and the development of resumes and cover letters, along with professional development events like career fairs and employer information sessions.

Associate of Applied Science -Paralegal Studies

Estimated Tuition: $345 per credit hour, which the university publishes as $31,740 in total program tuition across 92 credit hours, or roughly $12,420 per academic year. ANU states that figure covers application, course, technology and graduation fees along with textbooks and applicable lab equipment

• Offers an Optional 120-Hour Externship
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services, Including Refresher Courses Available to Alumni Throughout Their Careers
• Delivered Online at a Distance From the University’s Salem, Virginia Base, With Part of the Legal Specialty Coursework Taught Live
• Holds ABA-Approved Status

One thing to understand before you apply. American National University delivers this 92-credit paralegal program online, at a distance from its Salem, Virginia base, rather than as a day and evening program on a Dayton campus. Part of the legal specialty coursework is taught live on a schedule, which is what ABA approval requires of an online program. We’re also impressed that the leaders of ANU work closely with local employers to ensure you’re learning the skills that are most valuable in real-world legal environments. Plus, regardless of where you’re at in your career, ANU will work closely with you to ensure you are creating goals and meeting your professional expectations. Just a few of the career services offered here include business etiquette training, mock interviews, assistance with resumes and cover letters, and assistance with your job search.

Legal Studies, Associate in Arts (A.A.)

Estimated Tuition: $116.55 per credit hour (Oklahoma resident), $341.55 (non-resident), 2026-27, plus mandatory per-credit fees for facilities, library, student assessment and technology. Online courses add $12 per credit and blended courses $6. Tulsa requires a minimum of 60 credit hours for its associate degrees, putting resident tuition at about $6,993 before fees

• Promotes Educational Excellence as a Member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE)
• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approved Status
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to be Slightly Below State Average for Public Schools

Tulsa Community College has a long history of producing competent and qualified paralegals, thanks to its AAS in Paralegal Studies degree program. Complete your associate degree here and you’ll have a foundation for pursuing NALA’s Certified Paralegal (CP) credential, the current name for what was once the CLA. NALA sets eligibility for that exam and offers several qualifying routes, so check its current requirements against your own record. As a student here, you’ll be part of an exciting community of more than 17,000 students. You’ll also have access to the school’s impressive, state-of-the-art facilities and fantastic career services (including job search assistance, interview coaching, and the school’s online job site, College Central Network), which are available across its four main campuses.

Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal

Estimated Tuition: $143 per credit for Oregon residents and $258 for non-residents. The degree runs 90 quarter credits, which is roughly equivalent to 60 semester credits, so tuition comes to about $12,870 in-state and $23,220 out-of-state

• Holds ABA-Approval Status Since 2010
• Requires 90 Quarter Credits: 30 Required Paralegal, 14 Elective Paralegal, 27 General Education, and 19 Other Electives
• Delivered Largely Online, With at Least 14 Quarter Credits in Person or in Synchronous Zoom Classes
• Offers an Internship or Clinical Experience
• Taught by Lawyers and Paralegals Practicing in the Fields They Teach
• Running Since 1973

Portland Community College has run a paralegal program since 1973 and has held ABA approval since 2010. The degree is largely online, but at least 14 quarter credits must be completed either in person or in synchronous Zoom classes with a weekly scheduled meeting time, so this is not a self-paced program. Faculty are lawyers and paralegals working in the areas of law they teach.

One distinction matters at PCC. The college also offers a Legal Assistant Certificate, and that credential is not ABA-approved. Only the Paralegal AAS and the post-degree paralegal certificate carry the approval, so check which one you are enrolling in. The Oregon Licensed Paralegal credential is a separate state licensing pathway and should not be confused with either.

Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal Studies

Estimated Tuition: $189.75 per credit hour (sponsored, in-district), $288.50 (non-sponsored, in-state), $398.00 (out-of-state), 2025-26, before fees, across the 61-credit program, that works out to roughly $11,575 in-district, $17,598 in-state, $24,278 out-of-state.

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Makes Hundreds of Scholarships Available Through the HACC Foundation
• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to be $1,800 Below State Average for Public Schools

Harrisburg Area Community College’s 61-credit AAS in Paralegal Studies offers students a comprehensive course of study that prepares them for either entry-level employment or transfer to a four-year school. This ABA-approved program, which can be completed at the college’s Harrisburg or Lancaster campuses, also provides students with the best in career services through its Career Services Team, which supports students’ professional growth and connects them with business and community partners.

Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies

Estimated Tuition: $433 per credit hour for 2026-27 through the Extension School, charged at the same rate for evening classroom, directed seminar, and online courses. Across the 60 credits an associate takes that is about $25,980 in tuition, or roughly $26,600 once the $80 fall and spring semester fee and the $295 graduation fee are counted. Military students pay $250 per credit and employees of corporate partners pay $368. Keep any single semester under 15 credits, because at 15 or more the university switches you to the full-time day rate of $23,964 for that semester

• Holds ABA-Approval Status Since 1988
• Offered On Campus, Online, and in Hybrid Format
• Runs the Majority of Courses Online Without Set Meeting Times
• Requires Nine Credits, Three Courses, Through Synchronous Instruction
• Taught in Part by Sitting Judges and Practicing Lawyers
• Ladders Into a Bachelor of Science and Then a Master of Science in Legal Studies at the Same University

Roger Williams has held ABA approval since 1988 and delivers the degree through its University College extension division in downtown Providence, which is built around adult and working students. Most coursework runs online without set meeting times, with three courses, nine credits, required synchronously to satisfy the ABA standard for online delivery. Faculty include sitting judges alongside practicing attorneys.

The clearest advantage is the ladder. The associate feeds a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies and then a Master of Science in Legal Studies at the same institution, so a student who starts here can go all the way through without transferring.

Two pricing traps are worth flagging, because neither is obvious and both are expensive. This degree is priced on the Extension School schedule at $433 per credit, not on the Bristol day-student schedule where comprehensive tuition runs $47,928 a year. Those are separate tracks with separate admission. An Extension student who registers for a day program class is charged $1,997 per credit for that course, so check which schedule a class sits on before you enroll.

The second trap is a threshold. Fourteen credits in a semester costs about $6,062 at the Extension rate. Fifteen credits in the same semester triggers the full-time day rate of $23,964. One extra course nearly quadruples the bill for that term. If you are pacing this degree around a job, which is what the Extension School is built for, stay at or below 14 credits in any single semester.

Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal

Estimated Tuition: published rates run roughly $8,310 (in-district), $9,214 (in-state), and $15,674 (out-of-state) across the program, but most South Carolina residents will pay well below that, and many pay nothing, once state tuition assistance is applied. Trident advertises $0 tuition for students who qualify

• Promotes Educational Excellence as a Member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE)
• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to be $600 Below the State Average for Public Schools

Trident Technical College is serious about the educational quality of its AAS in Paralegal, as is evident by the program’s prestigious ABA approval designation, which they’ve held since 1993. Cost here needs a word of explanation. South Carolina funds tuition assistance for residents attending the state’s technical colleges, and Trident advertises $0 tuition for students who qualify. That means the published per-credit schedule functions as a sticker price rather than what most in-state students actually pay. Ask the college’s financial aid office what you would owe after state assistance before you judge this program on cost, and don’t assume the same math applies if you’re coming from out of state. This college is also committed to flexibility of delivery, as students here can attend full- or part-time, taking classes in either the day or evening. We’re also impressed with this program’s faculty, all of whom are licensed attorneys in the State of South Carolina, internship opportunities at local law firms, and its extensive support network, which includes academic and career counseling, mentoring, and a Student Resource Center that provides services related to registration, advising, coursework, and transfer.

Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies

Tuition: charged per quarter credit hour on a declining scale, $380 for the first 45 credits earned, $342 for credits 46 to 90, $323 for 91 to 135, and $304 from 136 on (2026-27 award year). Across the 90.5 quarter credits the degree requires, that comes to roughly $32,661

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Delivered Fully Online, With Three Legal Specialty Courses Taught Synchronously by Video Conference
• Totals 90.5 Quarter Credits
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status

One important change to know about before you apply. National American University closed its Sioux Falls campus and now operates as a fully online university headquartered in Rapid City. The AAS in Paralegal Studies is online only, with three legal specialty courses delivered synchronously by video conference so students still get live instruction. NAU reports ABA approval of the program dating to 1994, and since the ABA refreshes its directory every February and August, confirm current status there before you enroll. The program includes an internship experience and access to the NAU Career Services department, which offers alumni support, resume and interviewing resources, and internship assistance. Tuition is billed per quarter credit hour rather than per year, and the rate drops as you accumulate credits, so your cost depends on your pace.

Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies
(Also offers a Post-Degree Paralegal Studies Technical Certificate)

Tuition: $197.00 per credit hour (in-state), $342.00 per credit hour (out-of-state), charged up to 12 hours, with hours above 12 billed at $44.00 and $68.00. The college publishes a full 12-hour semester, including registration fees, at $2,534 in-state and $4,274 out-of-state. The degree runs 60 credits, so taken 12 credits at a time that is about $12,670 in-state and $21,370 out-of-state across five semesters

• Holds ABA-Approval Status From the ABA Standing Committee on Paralegals
• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of a 150-Hour Legal Internship
• Awards Industry Certificates From Westlaw in Legal Research and From NSLT in Technology in the Law Office
• Offers the Option to Add Certification in Relativity and eDiscovery
• Transfers 60 Credit Hours Toward a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies at Middle Tennessee State University
• Caps Tuition at 12 Credit Hours, So Additional Coursework in a Term Is Charged at a Steeply Reduced Rate

Tennessee has several ABA-approved associate programs, and Nashville State earns our pick on the strength of what students walk out holding. Beyond the degree itself, the curriculum builds in a Westlaw certificate in legal research and an NSLT certificate in law office technology, with an optional Relativity and eDiscovery certification on top. Those are the tools legal employers actually name in job postings, and having them documented on a resume is a real advantage over a transcript alone. The 150-hour legal internship puts students inside working legal offices in one of the South’s busiest legal markets, and past students have placed with organizations including the Nashville Public Defender’s Office. If you decide later to continue, 60 credit hours transfer toward a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies at Middle Tennessee State University, much of which can be completed online. Nashville State also runs a post-degree technical certificate for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want the legal specialty coursework without repeating general education. One billing detail worth knowing before you register. Nashville State caps tuition at 12 credit hours in a term, but TN eCampus courses are billed separately at the full per-hour rate and sit outside that cap, so an online course taken through eCampus won’t be covered by it.

Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal/Legal Assistant

Estimated Total Program Cost: about $3,900 (in-district), $7,500 (out-of-district), $12,000 (out-of-state), based on published 2025-26 rates of $65.00, $125.00, and $200.00 per credit hour across 60 credits, plus a $2 per credit activity fee

• Provides a Path to the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal (CP) Designation by Including an Exam Review Capstone as Part of the Curriculum
• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of a Co-Op or Practicum
• Offers the Flexibility of a Hybrid Option
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to be $1,800 Below the State Average for Public Schools

Collin College’s AAS in Paralegal/Legal Assistant program is comprehensive, robust (it’s ABA-approved), and flexible, offering students opportunities for specialization. The curriculum includes an exam review capstone built around NALA’s Certified Paralegal (CP) exam, though NALA itself sets who is eligible to sit for it. Plus, you’ll have all the support you need, thanks to the college’s Career Center, which offers academic planning and mentoring, career and degree exploration, one-on-one career coaching, and career and job fairs, among others.

Associate of Applied Science – Paralegal Studies

Estimated Tuition: at 12 to 18 credits a semester, residents pay $2,068.25 in tuition plus $203 in fees, and non-residents pay $7,239 plus $203, 2025-26. SLCC puts full-time resident tuition and fees at $4,647.50 for the year. The rate flattens across 12 to 18 credits, so a heavier load costs no more. Across roughly 4 full-time semesters that is about $9,085 for residents, $29,768 for non-residents.

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of a Co-Op or Practicum
• Offers the Flexibility of Some Online Courses
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to be $1,400 Below the State Average for Public Schools

Salt Lake Community College has plenty to offer aspiring paralegals, including a 64-credit paralegal associate degree that’s ABA approved, and a variety of classes that are offered online. We also love the curriculum design of the AAS in Paralegal Studies program, as many of the courses are taught using group and team activities designed to help improve their interactive and interpersonal skills.

Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies

Estimated Tuition: about $202.07 per credit hour (in-state), $421.87 (out-of-state), 2025-26. Those figures already fold in mandatory education and general fees, and a $22.50 per credit All Access course materials charge applies on top. The program runs 61 to 62 credits. That works out to roughly $12,326 to $12,528 in-state, $25,734 to $26,156 out-of-state.

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Offers the Flexibility of Some Online Courses
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status

Northern Virginia Community College’s AAS degree in paralegal studies is designed for the working professional, thanks to a hybrid design that allows students to complete about half of their courses online. Plus, students here can attend on a full- or part-time basis and take courses in the day or evening at the college’s Alexandria campus. In addition to holding respected ABA approval, this program is designed with a balance of theory and practice, so you can be sure you’re prepared to succeed in any legal environment upon graduation.

Paralegal Associate of Technical Arts

Estimated Tuition: $136.14 per credit hour (resident) and $350.12 (non-resident) for the first 10 credits, 2026-27. Credits 11 through 18 drop to $67.18 and $75.93 each, so the first 10 credits cost $1,361.40 resident or $3,501.20 non-resident and additional credits cost much less. The degree runs 93 credits on Edmonds’ quarter calendar, roughly equivalent to 62 semester credits, and at a 15-credit quarter that works out to about $10,523 for residents

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship (optional)
• Offers the Flexibility of a Hybrid Option and Evening Classes
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Fosters a Sense of Community with a Cultural Diversity Requirement
• Holds ABA-Approval Status
• Annual In-state Tuition Estimated to be $150 Below the State Average for Public Schools

Edmonds College, which carried the name Edmonds Community College until 2020, offers a 93-credit Paralegal Associate of Technical Arts built to meet the ABA’s standards of curriculum design. We also love the flexibility this program offers, with courses offered in the day, evening, or online. Plus, you can begin the program in the summer, fall, winter, or spring, as the college offers about 20 legal courses every quarter. Edmonds College is committed to fostering cross-cultural understanding with required coursework that gives students an opportunity to consider multiple cultural perspectives, something that will serve any paralegal well in their professional life.

Associate in Applied Science – Paralegal

Estimated Total Program Cost: about $11,505, based on the published 2024-25 rate of $177.00 per credit hour across 65 credits, before fees

• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship, Service Learning, or Field Research
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approved Status
• Promotes Educational Excellence as a Member of the American Association for Paralegal Education (AAfPE)

An affordable tuition that falls below the state average, courses offered in both the day and evening, specialty career planning courses, and collaborative agreements with several four-year college/university partners are just a few of the reasons why aspiring paralegals choose Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to complete a paralegal program of study. The AAS in Paralegal holds respected ABA approval and is a member of the American Association for Paralegal Education, so you can be sure that your paralegal education will prepare you with the knowledge and skills to serve as a competent and trusted member of the legal team. For those who may want to go on to earn a bachelor’s degree, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College maintains articulation agreements with some of the biggest names in the state, including UW Green Bay and UW Oshkosh.

Associate of Arts in Paralegal Studies

Estimated Tuition: $154 per credit hour (Wyoming resident), $210 (Western Undergraduate Exchange), $378 (out-of-state), 2026-27, plus about $42 per credit in course fees. Across the 60-credit degree that is roughly $4,620 a year for residents at a 15-credit load. That works out to roughly $11,760 for Wyoming residents, $15,120 at the WUE rate, $25,200 out-of-state.

• Helps Facilitate National Certification: National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) Certified Paralegal (CP), Program Objectives Include Preparation for the CP Exam, and Casper College is an Authorized Test Site and Hosts the Exam Three Times a Year
• Provides Valuable Field Experience in the Form of an Internship
• Offers the Flexibility of Hybrid Course Delivery
• Provides Outstanding Career Assistance and Student Support Services
• Holds ABA-Approval Status

Casper College’s 60-credit associate degree in paralegal studies offers the best in coursework design and delivery, thanks to its flexible online or hybrid curriculum, a field internship experience, and its ABA approval. Plus, the CP exam is administered at the college, with eligibility determined by NALA rather than by Casper. Casper also runs Casper College Legal Services, a paralegal-based legal clinic, which is an unusual thing for a community college paralegal program to operate and a real source of hands-on experience.