Best colleges for Non-Professional Legal Studies in Massachusetts
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Suffolk University and Western New England University award the most Non-Professional Legal Studies degrees in Massachusetts: 91, 44 and 12 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Massachusetts colleges offer Non-Professional Legal Studies and award 162 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Non-Professional Legal Studies program offers students an opportunity to explore legal principles and practices without qualifying for bar admission. This program is ideal for individuals with a bachelor's degree in a non-law field who…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suffolk University Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,354 | 44 | 61% | $28,895 | $27,000 |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,181 | 91 | 83% | — | $23,000 |
| 3 | Bay Path University Longmeadow Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $34,717 | 2 | 44% | $16,859 | $27,491 |
Colleges awarding the most Non-Professional Legal Studies degrees in Massachusetts
Top 6 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst Public | 91 | $36,181 |
| 2 | Suffolk University Boston Private not-for-profit | 44 | $44,354 |
| 3 | Western New England University Springfield Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 4 | Northeastern University Boston Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 5 | Lasell University Newton Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 6 | Bay Path University Longmeadow Private not-for-profit | 2 | $34,717 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Paralegals and Legal Assistants (SOC 23-2011).
Top skills
What Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn in Massachusetts
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Non-Professional Legal Studies programs in Massachusetts.
Which Massachusetts colleges award the most Non-Professional Legal Studies degrees?+
University of Massachusetts-Amherst (91 graduates a year), Suffolk University (44 graduates a year) and Western New England University (12 graduates a year) award the most Non-Professional Legal Studies degrees in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Massachusetts colleges offer Non-Professional Legal Studies.
Which Non-Professional Legal Studies program in Massachusetts has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Suffolk University tops the list at $44,354. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn in Massachusetts?+
The average annual wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Massachusetts is $81,160 (median $77,640), across about 7,800 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Non-Professional Legal Studies program?+
The Non-Professional Legal Studies program offers students an opportunity to explore legal principles and practices without qualifying for bar admission. This program is ideal for individuals with a bachelor's degree in a non-law field who…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop writing, active listening, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?+
The national job outlook is about +0.2% growth with around 39,300 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Associate's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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