Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Paralegal education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a paralegal. Paralegals usually study legal support services, business, or criminal justice. 51% of paralegals hold a bachelor's degree, and 29% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 81,648 real paralegal resumes to see exactly what paralegal education sections show.
The most common colleges for paralegals are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online paralegal courses to help get the education required to be a paralegal.
There are certain paralegal certifications that you should consider. These paralegal certifications include Certified Paralegal (CP) and Advanced Paralegal Certification (APC).
What education do you need to become a paralegal?
What degree do you need to be a paralegal?
- Bachelor's, 51%
- Associate, 29%
- Master's, 5%
- Doctorate, 4%
- Other Degrees, 11%
What should I major in to become a paralegal?
- Business, 11%
- Criminal Justice, 10%
- Other Majors, 38%
Most common colleges for paralegals
| Paralegal common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 10.20% |
| New York University | 7.43% |
| John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York | 6.36% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 5.70% |
| University of Central Florida | 5.21% |
Best majors for paralegals
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Legal Support Services | 31.7% |
| 2 | Business | 10.6% |
| 3 | Criminal Justice | 9.9% |
| 4 | Political Science | 8.8% |
| 5 | Law | 7.5% |
Best colleges for paralegals
The best colleges for paralegals are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A paralegal with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for paralegals. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become paralegals.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
4. Texas Wesleyan University
Fort Worth, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$30,300
Enrollment
1,445
5. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
6. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
7. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
8. University of La Verne
La Verne, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$43,050
Enrollment
5,098
9. University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH • Private
In-state tuition
$11,000
Enrollment
25,973
10. Hamline University
Saint Paul, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$41,290
Enrollment
2,077
20 best online courses for paralegals
Advertising disclosure
1. Privacy Law and HIPAA
What does it take to comply with privacy laws? In this course, we’ll look at the practical aspects of navigating the complex landscape of privacy requirements. Better understanding privacy laws and data protection will enable you to protect your organization and the constituents that depend on your organization to safeguard their personal information. First, we will examine the historical context that drove the creation of laws, best practices, and other standards for protecting personal...
2. International Law in Action: A Guide to the International Courts and Tribunals in The Hague
International Law in Action explains the functions of each international court and tribunal present in The Hague, and it looks at how these institutions address contemporary problems. On the basis of selected cases, and through interviews with judges and lawyers, you will explore the role of these courts and tribunals and their potential to contribute to global justice. The first module of the course will investigate how judicial settlement is different from other more political forms of...
3. Effective Legal Office Administration
Effective Legal Office Administration...
4. Company Law: A Comprehensive Summary
An in-depth summary of Company Law, targeting all common law LL.B examinations...
5. An Introduction to American Law
This course will give you a glimpse into six different areas of American law: Tort Law, Contract Law, Property, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Procedure. You will gain insight into the complexities and dilemmas that arise from the application of law in different settings, and what is distinctive about American approaches...
6. Privacy Law and Data Protection
What does it take to comply with privacy laws? In this course, we’ll look at the practical aspects of navigating the complex landscape of privacy requirements. Better understanding privacy laws and data protection will enable you to protect your organization and the constituents that depend on your organization to safeguard their personal information. First, we will examine the historical context that drove the creation of laws, best practices, and other standards for protecting personal...
7. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing
Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...
8. Employment Law Compliance Made Easy
A comprehensive course for management to understand key employment law issues in the workplace...
9. American Contract Law II
Course description: Contracts I & II provides a comprehensive overview of contract law in the United States. The course covers most of the key concepts found in a first year law school class. Each lecture is based on one or more common-law cases, integrating legal doctrines with policy discussions. The course also covers key sections from the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which governs the sale of goods. By the end of the course, the learner should be able to understand: Formation defenses:...
10. Introduction to International Criminal Law
-- About the Course -- From the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates – no area of law is as important to world peace and security as international criminal law. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, this course will educate students about the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. We will explore the contours of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes,...
11. English for Business and Law - Contract Law
An English language course for business and law...
12. Intro to Business Law for Entrepreneurs (+Free Book!)
How do I Protect My Family? What Type of Company to Register. Dealing with Investors. Patents. IPO. Ethics and More...
13. Speak Medical Spanish to Your Patients and Clients
Spanish essentials for healthcare; program teaches correct pronunciation, pain management and medication, among others...
14. Legal English
Legal language and communication skills...
15. Real Estate Investing: Foreclosures, Flipping Houses Profits
How to Start Your Real Estate Investing Business the Right Way! Follow Jay Conner's Proven Systems and Success Formulas...
16. A Specialty Approach to Learning Medical Billing and Coding
Volume One: Medical Hematology...
17. Criminal Law in 120 Minutes: A Fast Track Course
A 2 hour fast track summary of Criminal Law, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...
18. Law of Contracts in 60 Minutes: A Fast Track Course
A 60 minute fast track summary of the Law of Contracts, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...
19. Medical Terminology
Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...
20. Medical coding for U.S. healthcare industry
Jump start your career in the fastest growing career choice in the healthcare industry...
Top 10 most affordable universities for paralegals
The most affordable schools for paralegals are Brigham Young University, university of missouri - kansas city, and university of washington.
If the best universities for paralegals are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for paralegals.
1. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
2. University of Missouri - Kansas City
Kansas City, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$8,178
Cost of attendance
20,934
3. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
4. John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,270
Cost of attendance
14,177
5. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
6. University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$9,222
Cost of attendance
20,422
7. Trident University International
Cypress, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,240
Cost of attendance
17,912
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Cost of attendance
33,654
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for paralegals
The hardest universities for paralegals to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for paralegals are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for paralegals based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
7. Tulane University
New Orleans, LA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,428
8. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
9. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,448
10. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for paralegals
The easiest schools for paralegals to get into are Barry University, thomas more university, and university of north texas at dallas.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a paralegal without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for paralegals.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
3. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
5. Suffolk University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,131
6. University of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,163
7. College of Our Lady of the Elms
Chicopee, MA • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
1,070
8. Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,070
9. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
10. Western New England University
Springfield, MA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,160
Average paralegal salary by education level
| Paralegal education level | Paralegal salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $54,375 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $48,873 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $54,802 |
| Doctorate Degree | $57,177 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $50,143 |
Search for paralegal jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025