Paralegal Studies Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Practical skills for supporting lawyers in legal research, drafting, and case management.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$62K
salary
ROI Payback
3.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
2.5%
rate
Paralegal Studies Overview
Practical skills for supporting lawyers in legal research, drafting, and case management.
Category
Legal Studies
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
72%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
10%
Lifetime Premium
$400K
Female Graduates
82%
Paralegal Studies Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$13,500
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$13,500
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$386,500
Lifetime earnings premium ($400,000) minus net degree cost ($13,500)
Paralegal Studies Salary Progression
Common Paralegal Studies Careers
Paralegal
Legal Assistant
Litigation Support Specialist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Paralegal Studies
#1
George Washington
#2
Boston University
#3
University of Florida
#4
Tulane
#5
NYU
Related Majors
Paralegal Studies Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Paralegal Studies Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for paralegal studies programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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