Best institutions to study Legal Assistant/Paralegal
A program that prepares individuals to perform research, drafting, investigatory, record-keeping and related administrative functions under the supervision of an attorney or court.
462 U.S. institutions graduated 9,640 Legal Assistant/Paralegal students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 22.0302, a specialization of Legal Support Services (CIP 22.03), and leads most directly to the Paralegals and Legal Assistants occupation (BLS SOC 23-2011).
About Legal Assistant/Paralegal programs
A program that prepares individuals to perform research, drafting, investigatory, record-keeping and related administrative functions under the supervision of an attorney or court. Includes instruction in legal research, drafting legal documents, appraising, pleading, courthouse procedures, and legal specializations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Legal Assistant/Paralegal program prepares individuals to support attorneys and courts by performing essential research, drafting, and administrative tasks. This program is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in legal professions and studies, providing a foundation for various roles within the legal field.
Students in this program gain skills in legal research, document preparation, and case investigation. Coursework covers essential topics such as courthouse procedures, legal drafting, and specialized areas of law, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to assist legal professionals effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Legal Assistant/Paralegal graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree4,446 graduates / yr · 372 institutions46%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1,984 graduates / yr · 168 institutions21%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,909 graduates / yr · 134 institutions20%
- Bachelor's degree731 graduates / yr · 56 institutions7.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate296 graduates / yr · 11 institutions3.1%
- Master's degree106 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks100 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years65 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.7%
- Post-master's certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Legal Assistant/Paralegal completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 18,476 |
| 2013 | 17,888 |
| 2014 | 16,328 |
| 2015 | 14,955 |
| 2016 | 13,452 |
| 2017 | 11,752 |
| 2018 | 10,760 |
| 2019 | 9,982 |
| 2020 | 9,942 |
| 2021 | 10,578 |
| 2022 | 10,459 |
| 2023 | 9,673 |
| 2024 | 9,455 |
| 2025 | 9,640 |
Top 50 institutions for Legal Assistant/Paralegal, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 243 | 40% | — | $34,981 |
| 2 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 221 | 65% | $28,911 | $41,973 |
| 3 | Center for Advanced Legal Studies Houston, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 212 | 62% | $10,957 | $39,387 |
| 4 | Bryant & Stratton College - Online Orchard Park, NYPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 206 | 23% | $14,394 | $30,998 |
| 5 | Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 131 | 31% | — | — |
| 6 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 122 | 50% | — | $41,375 |
| 7 | University of San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 120 | 84% | $26,035 | $53,157 |
| 8 | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 104 | 37% | — | — |
| 9 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 98 | 17% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor's | 89 | 75% | — | $45,549 |
| 11 | American River College Sacramento, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 87 | 37% | — | — |
| 12 | Post University Waterbury, CTPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 86 | 25% | $14,659 | $36,412 |
| 13 | San Diego Miramar College San Diego, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 85 | 48% | — | — |
| 14 | Rasmussen University - Minnesota St. Cloud, MNPrivate for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 80 | 53% | $19,944 | $34,421 |
| 15 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 79 | 61% | $35,483 | $37,559 |
| 16 | Fresno City College Fresno, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 76 | 24% | — | — |
| 17 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 74 | 48% | — | — |
| 18 | West Los Angeles College Culver City, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 73 | 28% | — | — |
| 19 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sBachelor's | 72 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 20 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 72 | 34% | — | $39,517 |
| 21 | Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FLPublicBachelor's | 72 | 57% | — | $39,824 |
| 22 | Crestpoint University Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 72 | 33% | $15,215 | $40,585 |
| 23 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 68 | 57% | $10,199 | $40,049 |
| 24 | Phoenix College Phoenix, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 65 | 14% | — | $45,838 |
| 25 | Bryan University Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 62 | 41% | $22,877 | $26,288 |
| 26 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitAward of less than 12 weeksBachelor's | 62 | 73% | $33,454 | $48,819 |
| 27 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 62 | 32% | — | $33,381 |
| 28 | Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 62 | 21% | — | $36,678 |
| 29 | De Anza College Cupertino, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 61 | 68% | — | — |
| 30 | Clayton State University Morrow, GAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor'sAssociate's | 61 | 40% | — | $34,447 |
| 31 | Front Range Community College Westminster, COPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 60 | 35% | — | $38,485 |
| 32 | Coastline Community College Fountain Valley, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 59 | 34% | — | — |
| 33 | College of the Canyons Santa Clarita, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 58 | 45% | — | — |
| 34 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 55 | 67% | — | $40,778 |
| 35 | Greenville Technical College Greenville, SCPublicAssociate's | 55 | 21% | — | $39,026 |
| 36 | Merritt College Oakland, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 54 | 26% | — | — |
| 37 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 53 | 45% | — | $29,569 |
| 38 | Cerritos College Norwalk, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 52 | 31% | — | — |
| 39 | Portland Community College Portland, ORPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 52 | 18% | — | $42,463 |
| 40 | South University - Savannah Online Savannah, GAPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 52 | 7% | $28,691 | $31,126 |
| 41 | Los Angeles City College Los Angeles, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 51 | 29% | — | — |
| 42 | Edmonds College Lynnwood, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 50 | 29% | — | $45,880 |
| 43 | Irvine Valley College Irvine, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 49 | 57% | — | — |
| 44 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 49 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 45 | St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FLPublicBachelor'sAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 38% | — | $43,499 |
| 46 | Valencia College Orlando, FLPublicAssociate's | 49 | 48% | — | $32,210 |
| 47 | American National University Salem, VAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 49 | 33% | $20,666 | — |
| 48 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 48 | 24% | — | — |
| 49 | Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 48 | 29% | — | — |
| 50 | Madisonville Community College Madisonville, KYPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 47 | 49% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Legal Support Services field (CIP 22.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 50 states
Where Legal Assistant/Paralegal graduates come from. Each state links to all Legal Support Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 23-2011, Paralegals and Legal Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Legal Assistant/Paralegal program can pursue careers as paralegals and legal assistants, with an annual median wage of $61,010. The job outlook indicates little to no change, with approximately 39,300 annual openings, making an associate's degree the typical educational requirement for entry into this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 22.0302
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Paralegals and Legal Assistantsprimary SOC 23-2011 | $62,890 | +0.2% Little or no change | ~39,300 | Associate's degree |
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers SOC 23-2093 | $58,650 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~5,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Legal Support Workers, All Other SOC 23-2099 | $72,110 | -1.2% Decline | ~4,700 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Legal Assistant/Paralegal programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare affidavits or other documents, such as legal correspondence, and organize and maintain documents in paper or electronic filing system.
- Prepare, edit, or review legal documents, including legislation, briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills, contracts, and real estate closing statements.
- Investigate facts and law of cases and search pertinent sources, such as public records and internet sources, to determine causes of action and to prepare cases.
- Prepare for trial by performing tasks such as organizing exhibits.
- Meet with clients and other professionals to discuss details of cases.
- Gather and analyze research data, such as statutes, decisions, and legal articles, codes, and documents.
Tools and technology used
Other Legal Support Services specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Legal Support Services (CIP 22.03).
- Court Reporting and Captioning/CIP 22.0303
Court Reporter 431 graduates / yr32 institutions - Legal Administrative Assistant/CIP 22.0301
Secretary 366 graduates / yr45 institutions - Legal Support ServicesCIP 22.0399partial data233 graduates / yr5 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Court Interpreter22.0304
- Scopist22.0305
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What is a Legal Assistant/Paralegal?+
A Legal Assistant/Paralegal supports attorneys by performing research, drafting documents, and managing administrative tasks.
What kind of degree do I need?+
Most positions require an associate's degree, although other awards and bachelor's degrees are also available.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, legal research, and client communication.
What is the job outlook for paralegals?+
The job outlook is stable, with about 39,300 annual openings and a median wage of $61,010.
What is the CIP code for Legal Assistant/Paralegal?+
Legal Assistant/Paralegal is CIP 22.0302 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Legal Support Services (CIP 22.03). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to perform research, drafting, investigatory, record-keeping and related administrative functions under the supervision of an attorney or court. Includes instruction in legal research, drafting legal documents, appraising, pleading, courthouse procedures, and legal specializations.
How many institutions offer Legal Assistant/Paralegal programs?+
462 U.S. institutions reported Legal Assistant/Paralegal graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 50 states, awarding 9,640 credentials in the year. That is 90.3% of all Legal Support Services graduates.
How much do Legal Assistant/Paralegal graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Paralegals and Legal Assistants occupation, which Legal Assistant/Paralegal most directly leads to, pays a median of $62,890 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Legal Support Services field report median earnings of $38,981 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Legal Support Services graduates, so its figures match the Legal Support Services program page.
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