Best Online Bachelor’s in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN LAW & LEGAL STUDIES

Published: Jul 6, 2021
Updated: Nov 22, 2023

Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in law/legal studies degree programs to prepare students to work as mediators, detectives, and criminal justice administrators as well as pursue related graduate degree programs.

Top 10 Online Law and Legal Studies Bachelor's Degrees

University of Arizona
University of Cincinnati
Loyola University Chicago
University of Memphis
Regent University
Hampton University
Campbell University
University of Central Florida
Liberty University
Webster University

University of Arizona
University of Cincinnati
Loyola University Chicago
University of Central Florida
University of Memphis
Hampton University
Liberty University
Campbell University
Webster University
Eastern Kentucky University

Liberty University 99%
Mississippi University for Women 99%
Keiser University 97%
University of Memphis 95%
West Texas A&M University 92%
Campbell University 89%
University of Arizona 87%
Christian Brothers University 87%
University of Cincinnati 86%
Western Carolina University 85%

University of Central Florida 29 to 1
Purdue Global 26 to 1
Regent University 21 to 1
University of Cincinnati 18 to 1
Liberty University 18 to 1
University of Memphis 17 to 1
Missouri Western State University 17 to 1
West Texas A&M University 17 to 1
University of Arizona 17 to 1
Eastern Kentucky University 16 to 1

Loyola University Chicago $49,498
Campbell University $39,230
Stevenson University $38,738
Christian Brothers University $35,520
Webster University $29,840
Hampton University $29,162
Utica University $24,308
Keiser University $23,248
Liberty University $22,511
Mississippi College $21,098

Keiser University $30,032
Utica University $26,158
Loyola University Chicago $19,440
Regent University $16,028
National University $15,912
Christian Brothers University $14,977
Campbell University $14,417
University of Cincinnati $13,224
Hampton University $13,099
Webster University $12,600

Missouri Western State University
Wilmington University
Christian Brothers University
Stevenson University
Mississippi University for Women
Utica University
Keiser University
West Texas A&M University
National University
Purdue Global

Utica University
Missouri Western State University
Bellevue University
Christian Brothers University
West Texas A&M University
Stevenson University
Wilmington University
Purdue Global
Mississippi University for Women
Keiser University

Regent University 32%
Mississippi College 40%
University of Central Florida 41%
Webster University 55%
Eastern Kentucky University 64%
Hampton University 74%
Loyola University Chicago 79%
Utica University 81%
Stevenson University 84%
Western Carolina University 85%

Christian Brothers University 9 to 1
Utica University 11 to 1
Mississippi University for Women 11 to 1
Webster University 12 to 1
Wilmington University 12 to 1
Loyola University Chicago 13 to 1
Mississippi College 13 to 1
Bellevue University 13 to 1
Campbell University 13 to 1
Hampton University 13 to 1

Western Carolina University $1,000
University of Central Florida $4,478
West Texas A&M University $6,372
Missouri Western State University $7,200
Mississippi University for Women $7,866
University of Memphis $8,352
Bellevue University $8,790
Eastern Kentucky University $9,544
Purdue Global $10,080
University of Cincinnati $10,656

Western Carolina University $4,435
West Texas A&M University $5,088
University of Central Florida $6,916
Missouri Western State University $7,110
Mississippi University for Women $7,766
Liberty University $7,893
Stevenson University $8,340
Wilmington University $9,216
University of Memphis $9,378
Purdue Global $9,472

Key Takeaways

An online legal studies degree is an entry point for diverse career opportunities in the area of criminal justice, particularly in law firms, federal government, and other elements of the American legal system.
The best legal studies programs provide online students with satisfactory to excellent student support services as part of their thrust for academic excellence.
Choosing the best legal studies program should include careful considerations of the costs and financial aid available.

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Exploring the Online Bachelor’s in Law and Legal Studies

Students in online bachelor’s in law and legal studies programs aspire to become legal professionals, among the highest-paid group of occupations. The nation’s Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that legal occupations earned $82,430 in median annual wage in May 2021; in comparison, the median annual wage for all occupations was $45,760.

The growth in employment among legal professionals is also faster than average at 10% (2020-2030). Students pursuing law and legal studies bachelor’s degrees can look forward to about 131,000 new jobs and 110,000 openings for replacements over the 10-year period. Legal assistants, legal secretaries, and court reporters are a few of these occupations.

Preparatory Degree for Entry into Law Schools

Note that many legal professionals must pursue more advanced education beyond a bachelor’s degree. Judges, hearing officers, and lawyers, for example, possess either a professional degree or a doctoral degree. Lawyers spend a minimum of three years in law schools accredited by the American Bar Association.

A bachelor’s degree in law and legal studies is among the best undergraduate degrees to get into the best law schools. Prospective students will also be required to pass the Law Admission Test (LSAT), a standard measurement of readiness for law school.

The education and training acquired in the best bachelor’s degree in law and legal studies programs is an excellent preparation for the LSAT.

But even if you don’t proceed to law school and become a lawyer, you will benefit from earning a bachelor’s in law and legal studies degree! You will acquire technical skills in reading and researching legal documents, providing legal support services, and interpreting legal concepts and principles. Your critical thinking, analytical thinking and communication skills will be better because of your online education, too.

Preparation Is Key to Success

Academic rigor and excellence are part and parcel of the online educational experience in law and legal studies bachelor’s degree programs. Students must read and understand voluminous learning materials, understand relevant legal documents, explain legal concepts in oral recitations and written assignments, and even engage in legal debates.

Effective time management is key to success, and students are encouraged to use student support services whenever necessary. Tutoring services are great for keeping up with the challenging coursework, and writing services will improve your writing skills.

Be sure to use the library and IT help desk services, too. Academic advising services are a must to create your program of study.

Indeed, being prepared before getting into law school will make the experience more enjoyable and productive!

Online bachelor’s in law and legal studies programs may also require internships and capstone projects for students to complete. Internships are hands-on learning experiences in a legal environment, such as in an entry-level paralegal capacity. Capstone projects demonstrate a student’s knowledge of legal principles and their real-world applications.

Admission Requirements

Online bachelor’s in law and legal studies programs have highly selective admissions criteria because of the nature of the legal profession. Prospective students should possess either a high school diploma or an associate degree, minimum, as well as submit:

A completed application
Official transcripts from schools attended
Standardized test scores
Letters of recommendation
Essays with specific formats recommended by the program
Current resume

Many online programs also interview prospective students who have been shortlisted to determine their suitability.

Cost and Financial Aid

Law and legal studies degree programs have among the most expensive tuition structures, a cause for concern among prospective students. The tuition costs ranged from $22,000 to nearly $75,000 per year, and it doesn’t include other fees like technology fees.

In-state students may pay lower per-credit costs than out-of-state students but there are online programs that charge the same per-credit fees for all students.

Due to these costs, prospective students must look into the financial aid options in law schools offering bachelor’s in law and legal studies programs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Law/Legal Studies Degrees

Earning a bachelor’s degree in law can help foster negotiation, problem-solving, and public speaking skills, preparing graduates for success in a variety of careers.

In about four to five years, students can complete the roughly 120 required credits either online or in person.

Students will study legal writing, ethics, and legal theory as well as current issues in law, best practices in negotiation, and the ins and outs of litigation. Programs may also allow students to choose a concentration, like business or environmental law.

Upon graduation, individuals will be prepared to work as mediators, detectives, and criminal justice administrators as well as pursue related graduate degree programs.

Learn more about how to major in law.

How do we determine the best online law bachelor's degree programs?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

What Goes into our Online Bachelor’s in Law and Legal Studies Ranking Process

These 10 online bachelor’s degree in law and legal studies programs are offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities. Regional accreditation is considered the highest level of accreditation because it’s proof of compliance with academic standards of higher education.

Many online programs also have programmatic accreditation from the American Bar Association and other legal research and legal professional organizations like the National Association of Legal Assistants.

We also considered the overall reputation for academic excellence, learning outcomes and graduate outcomes for the list of law and legal studies programs. Students and graduates alike attest to the academic rigor of the coursework, from the general education courses to the major courses.

The pursuit of academic excellence means graduates are prepared for the challenging legal, civil litigation, and criminal law work of legal professionals.

Such emphasis on academic excellence is supported by the impressive legal expertise of the faculty members. Lawyers, judges, and mediators with years of legal experience share their knowledge and skills with students.

Student success is also influenced by the quality and quantity of student support services. Tutoring services, writing services, access to the IT help desk and digital libraries, and career services are great examples.

Best Online Bachelor’s in Law Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Legal Studies Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Legal Studies

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $10,358
Avg. Expenses*: $17,789
Avg. Starting Salary*: $38,872
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $53,721
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 11 years
Job Growth: 3.67%
Number of Jobs: 405,700
* denotes ‘annually’
** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Legal Support Workers, All Other	0.19%	$62,642
Paralegals and Legal Assistants	4.18%	$56,003

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%	Median	Top 10%
$39,973	$58,625	$97,522

Promising Job Markets

State	Cost of Living	Avg. Salary
#2 Virginia	5% higher than average	$99,950
#3 Michigan	15% higher than average	$61,585
#4 Missouri	16% higher than average	$57,980
#5 Arkansas	16% higher than average	$57,620
#6 Washington	7% higher than average	$71,985
#7 Texas	10% higher than average	$59,780
#8 Connecticut	18% higher than average	$78,525
#9 Minnesota	4% higher than average	$63,295
#10 Pennsylvania	5% higher than average	$62,525
#11 Ohio	14% higher than average	$54,710
#12 Delaware	2% higher than average	$64,980
#13 New York	5% higher than average	$66,030
#14 Georgia	13% higher than average	$54,570
#15 Massachusetts	24% higher than average	$76,290
#16 Illinois	7% higher than average	$57,275
#17 Colorado	3% higher than average	$63,065
#18 North Carolina	11% higher than average	$53,740
#19 Arizona	5% higher than average	$57,480
#20 Rhode Island	20% higher than average	$72,090
#21 Kansas	9% higher than average	$54,790
#22 Mississippi	18% higher than average	$49,155
#23 South Carolina	8% higher than average	$53,820
#24 South Dakota	7% higher than average	$54,100
#25 Nevada	5% higher than average	$60,835
#26 Iowa	9% higher than average	$52,660
#27 Alabama	13% higher than average	$50,090
#28 Tennessee	14% higher than average	$48,985
#29 Kentucky	14% higher than average	$48,810
#30 Idaho	7% higher than average	$52,335
#31 Oklahoma	13% higher than average	$49,020
#32 Oregon	11% higher than average	$62,135
#33 District of Columbia	49% higher than average	$83,275
#34 New Jersey	13% higher than average	$63,165
#35 Indiana	11% higher than average	$49,405
#36 Louisiana	9% higher than average	$50,155
#37 Nebraska	6% higher than average	$51,750
#38 Maryland	18% higher than average	$64,635
#39 Florida	6% higher than average	$50,870
#40 Vermont	13% higher than average	$60,380
#41 New Mexico	7% higher than average	$49,860
#42 Wyoming	2% higher than average	$52,000
#43 Alaska	23% higher than average	$63,890
#44 New Hampshire	13% higher than average	$58,105
#45 Wisconsin	7% higher than average	$47,975
#46 Maine	9% higher than average	$55,500
#47 Utah	4% higher than average	$48,780
#48 West Virginia	11% higher than average	$44,930
#49 North Dakota	average	$50,260
#50 California	26% higher than average	$62,370
#51 Montana	3% higher than average	$47,170
#52 Hawaii	40% higher than average	$57,950

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Legal Support Workers, All Other	$62,642
Paralegals and Legal Assistants	$56,003

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Online Legal Studies Programs Looking for You

Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Online Bachelor’s in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2024

Top 10 Online Law and Legal Studies Bachelor's Degrees

Key Takeaways

Featured Programs

Exploring the Online Bachelor’s in Law and Legal Studies

Preparatory Degree for Entry into Law Schools

Preparation Is Key to Success

Admission Requirements

Cost and Financial Aid

Frequently Asked Questions About Law/Legal Studies Degrees

Why get a bachelor’s in law and legal studies?

How long does it take to get a bachelor’s in law and legal studies?

What topics are studied when getting a bachelor’s in law and legal studies?

What can you do with a bachelor’s in law and legal studies?

What Goes into our Online Bachelor’s in Law and Legal Studies Ranking Process

Best Online Bachelor’s in Law Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at University of Arizona

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at University of Cincinnati

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Loyola University Chicago

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at University of Memphis

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Regent University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Hampton University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Campbell University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at University of Central Florida

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Liberty University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Webster University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Mississippi College

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Eastern Kentucky University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Western Carolina University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Bellevue University

Online Degrees

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at National University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at West Texas A&M University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Keiser University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Utica University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Mississippi University for Women

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Stevenson University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Christian Brothers University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Wilmington University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Legal Studies degree at Missouri Western State University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Students with Legal Studies Degree

Legal Studies

Degree Level: Bachelor's

Career Salaries

Average Career Salaries