Best colleges for Non-Professional Legal Studies in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Thomas Jefferson University, Dickinson College and University of Pennsylvania award the most Non-Professional Legal Studies degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania: 16, 14 and 10 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 13 Pennsylvania colleges offer Non-Professional Legal Studies and award 104 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 institution, 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 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $53,237 | 32 | 34% | — | $37,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Non-Professional Legal Studies degrees in Pennsylvania
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 16 | Not reported |
| 2 | Dickinson College Carlisle Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 4 | Gannon University Erie Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 5 | Temple University Philadelphia Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 6 | Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 7 | Neumann University Aston Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 8 | Susquehanna University Selinsgrove Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 9 | DeSales University Center Valley Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 Pennsylvania colleges offering Non-Professional Legal Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University - World Campus (Online) | University Park | Public | 32 |
| Elizabethtown College | Elizabethtown | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Point Park University | Pittsburgh | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Paralegals and Legal Assistants (SOC 23-2011).
Top skills
What Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Non-Professional Legal Studies programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Non-Professional Legal Studies degrees?+
Thomas Jefferson University (16 graduates a year), Dickinson College (14 graduates a year) and University of Pennsylvania (10 graduates a year) award the most Non-Professional Legal Studies degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 13 Pennsylvania colleges offer Non-Professional Legal Studies.
How much do Paralegals and Legal Assistants earn in Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Paralegals and Legal Assistants in Pennsylvania is $68,510 (median $63,370), across about 14,670 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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