Studying law is a source of pride. Another source of great pleasure is the ability to study it online. While some people are still skeptical about earning a law degree online due to the nature of the program, it is a reality. There are online law school programs that are both affordable and accredited. This article will introduce you to the most affordable, accredited online law schools where you can earn a law degree. Law students benefit from the same flexibility that students in other courses enjoy when studying online.
However, online bachelor’s and master’s degrees may take longer to complete than traditional programs. Worse, no online law school is currently accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). This implies that obtaining a Juris Doctor (JD) online indicates that you do not intend to practice law. However, California allows non-ABA law school graduates to sit for the Bar exams.
Why Should You Study Law Online?
Obtaining a JD online allows you to balance your studies, work, and family obligations effectively. Even if you cannot attend classes in person, online law school programs will enable you to pursue your dream. Many online law schools have accreditation, even if they are not affiliated with the American Bar Association. This means that you can still get a world-class law education from these schools, which will run concurrently with on-campus programs. Furthermore, not everyone who wishes to practice law obtains a law degree.
A career in law can take you into various fields and industries. The online Master of Laws (LLM) program offers advanced training in fields such as health care policy, management, and taxation. Non-lawyers can also enroll in some online law school programs, such as Masters in legal studies programs. There will always be non-law students and professionals who want to learn about the law. As a result, online law school programs make it simple for them to meet this need.
Don’t forget that an online law degree qualifies you to take the California Bar Exam. Your practice is also limited to the state of California. An online Law degree is for you if you live in California or don’t mind practicing there.
What Can I Expect to Earn With an Online Law Degree?
The fact that the American Bar Association does not support online law schools does not make you any less of a lawyer. In every way, you are still a lawyer, and you would earn the same as a lawyer with a traditional university degree. If you must practice, you will have to do so privately. Law is one of the professions with a high pay scale. As a lawyer, you can count on a five- to a six-figure annual salary. Meanwhile, additional education may lead to increased pay, and you can always get an LLM online.
The average annual salary for lawyers in the United States is $117,188, according to Glassdoor. This figure is similar for healthcare lawyers, a profession for which an online law degree can prepare you.
Which Type of Online Law School Should I Enroll In?
You should enroll in one of the most affordable and accredited online law schools. Apart from affordability and accreditation, there are other factors to consider. Professors should have more online access at the online law school you choose. Even though you can study law online, the course still requires you to apply what you’ve learned in class to real-life situations. You’ll find yourself calling your professor more frequently than not. Check to see if the professor has office hours during which you can contact them.
Also, make sure that your online law school is both theoretical and practical. Examine their curriculum to ensure that it meets your requirements. More importantly, you should verify that the books used by students on campus are the same books used by your online school. You may also have to drop out for the duration of your online law school program. Most schools devote at least 20 hours per week to their program. On the other hand, an online law program should last three to six years.
In the meantime, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of schools that check all of your boxes.
Top 10 Online Law Schools
Students with associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate degrees can apply to the online law school programs listed in this post. They include legal office administration, taxation, paralegal studies, and legal studies, among other law-related fields. They also all have regional accreditation, although they have yet to receive ABA accreditation. The following are our Top 10 online law schools.
1. Arizona State University
This HLC-accredited online law school offers more law courses than the majority of the schools on our list. This accredited online law school offers a total of 208 programs in various fields of study, including seven law programs. However, the programs are geared toward bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The following are the online law programs and degrees offered by Arizona State University:
- BA in Philosophy (Morality, Politics, and Law: Bachelor’s Degree
- MLS Master of Legal Studies: Master’s Degree
- Master of Legal Studies (MLS) – Criminal Law: Master’s Degree
- MLS Master of Legal Studies – HR & Employment Law: Master’s Degree
- Master of Legal Studies (MLS) – Intellectual Property Law: Master’s Degree
- MLS Master of Legal Studies – Sports Law & Business: Master’s Degree, and
- Master of Legal Studies (MLS) – Sustainability Law: Master’s Degree.
2. Bryan University Online
The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges has given this online law school national accreditation (ACCSC). National accreditation is for specialized or vocational schools, while regional accreditation is more prestigious. Bryan University Online currently offers up to 30 courses in various fields, but only one (1) in law. This program leads to an associate’s degree in law. Criminal Justice is an online program that prepares you to be a respected member of a law enforcement team.
This accredited online law school, on the other hand, has over a thousand students and a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio. On the other hand, Bryan University online charges between $15,400 and $15,447 for tuition to obtain a degree.
3. California University of Pennsylvania
MSCHE has granted regional accreditation to this online law school. The non-profit university offers over 105 online programs in various fields, including three in law. These California University online law school programs lead to certificates and bachelor’s degrees. These are the accredited online law programs:
- Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence – Land Management: Bachelor’s Degree
- Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence – Legal Studies: Bachelor’s Degree, and
- Certificate in Law and Public policy: Certificates & Diploma.
Cal U, on the other hand, has a total student population of 7,312 and a 96.5 percent acceptance rate. This is also one of the most affordable online law schools on the list, with undergraduate tuition of $15,326 and graduate tuition of $23,434 per year.
4. Argosy University Online
WASC WSCUC has granted regional accreditation to this online law school. Furthermore, this university offers 88 programs in various fields of study, with only two (2) programs in law currently available. Argosy University’s online law program leads to a master’s degree in compliance (ML). Meanwhile, the private, for-profit online law school has 17,600 students enrolled and an acceptance rate of 80 to 90 percent. This accredited online law school is also one of the most affordable on the list, with undergraduate tuition of $13,438 and graduate tuition of $13,656.
5. Liberty University
This online law school is a Christian university with regional accreditation from SACS COC. It currently offers seven (7) online law school programs and 542 other programs in other fields. These degree-granting online programs are as follows:
- Paralegal Studies: Associate Degrees
- Law & Policy – Pre-Law: Bachelor’s Degrees
- Paralegal Studies: Bachelor’s Degrees
- Juris Master – American Legal Studies: Master’s Degrees
- Juris Master – International Legal Studies: Master’s Degrees
- Master of Law – International Legal Studies: Master’s Degrees
- Law & Public Policy: Master’s Degrees
With a total student population of 110,000. this accredited university is a large one. It also has a 24.4 percent acceptance rate. This makes the university a desirable place to attend. However, you will have to pay $11,700 in tuition to study these online law degrees. This is one of the most affordable online law schools available.
6. Southern New Hampshire University
The New England Commission of Higher Education has granted this online law school regional accreditation (NECHE). This non-profit, private university offers 286 programs in various fields, but only one (1) in law. However, this online program is for a Bachelor’s degree in law. The BS in Criminal Justice – Legal Studies and Advocacy from SNHU is an online law degree program. Meanwhile, the university has a total student enrollment of 90,955 students and a 92.9 percent acceptance rate.
The majority of SNHU’s students are online students, which is an interesting fact to know. Furthermore, this accredited university’s online graduate law program costs $11,520. This places it among the most affordable online law schools on our list.
7. Bellevue University
HLC has granted regional accreditation to this online law school, which offers up to 165 programs. However, the accredited law school currently only offers a law degree program. A Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies – Bachelor’s Degree is what this is. In the meantime, Bellevue University is one of the most affordable online law schools with excellent military support. It has a total enrollment of 10,407 students and a 100 percent acceptance rate. In addition, Bellevue University’s online law degree costs $7,752 for undergraduates and $10,770 for graduates.
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8. Abraham Lincoln University
The Distance Education Accrediting Commission has given this online law school regional accreditation (DEAC). It also provides five (5) online law degree programs. The following are the programs and degrees available:
- Paralegal Studies (AS): Associate Degree
- Legal Studies (BS): Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s of Science in Law (MS): Master’s Degree
- JD(Juris Doctor): Doctoral Degree, and
- Diploma in Paralegal Studies: Certificates.
This accredited online law school has a total enrollment of 2,002 students and a 100% acceptance rate. Furthermore, with a tuition of $7,500, this is one of the most affordable online law schools.
9. American Public University System
HLC and DEAC have given this online law school regional accreditation. This university offers more than twenty (20) degrees while ranking as our number one online law school. It does, however, offer five (5) online law programs leading to a law degree. The following are the programs and degrees available:
- Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies: Associate Degree
- Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies: Bachelor’s Degree
- Master of Arts in Legal Studies & Master of Public Policy – Public Policy and the Law: Master’s Degree, and
- Certificate in Paralegal Studies: Certificate & Diploma.
Certificate and diploma programs in paralegal studies are available. This accredited online law school has a total enrollment of 48,623 students and a 100% acceptance rate. Meanwhile, APUS charges only $6,880 for undergraduates and $6,600 for graduates. As a result, APUS comes highly recommended.
10. South Dakota State University
This online law school is a non-profit university with HLC regional accreditation. This accredited online law school offers up to 60 programs in other fields, but only one in law that leads to a certificate. The Undergraduate Certificate in Agricultural and Environmental Law is the school’s online law degree program. Meanwhile, SDSU has a total enrollment of 12,107 students and a 91 percent acceptance rate. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1, this makes the school students friendly.
In addition, SDSU charges online degree tuition of $11,689 for undergraduates and $15,521 for graduates. This places it among the most affordable online law schools on our list.
Other Top Online Law Schools
1. Humboldt State University
This online law school is a non-profit university with regional accreditation from WASC WSCUC. This accredited school offers up to ten different programs in different fields of study, but only an online law school program. In the meantime, this program leads to a certificate and diploma. A Certificate in Legal Secretary is offered as an online law program. Humboldt has a total student population of 7,774 and a 77.1 percent acceptance rate. As an undergraduate, you’ll pay $19,373 in tuition and $18,431 as a graduate online law student.
2. North Carolina Central University
This online law school is a public, non-profit college with regional accreditation from SACS COC. Although this accredited university offers 29 other programs, it only offers one (1) in law. However, this online law school program is pursuing a master’s degree. A Master of Library Science – Law Librarian program is offered. Meanwhile, NCCU has 8,207 students enrolled and an acceptance rate of 82.8 percent. This means that out of every 100 applicants, 83 are accepted. Furthermore, this accredited online law school charges $19,106 for undergraduates and $20,365 for graduates for an online law degree.
3. Eastern Kentucky University
SACS COC has granted regional accreditation to this online law school. The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, a national accreditation agency, has also given it national accreditation (ACCET). Eastern Kentucky University offers over 88 online and on-campus programs in various fields for students at all levels of education. This accredited online law school, on the other hand, only offers an online law program. The program leads to an online bachelor’s degree in law with a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Science.
Meanwhile, there are 16,881 students enrolled at this university, with an acceptance rate of 86.3 percent. Additionally, undergraduate tuition is $18,250, while graduate tuition is $15,220. This is another of the most affordable online law schools available.
4. Angelo State University
SACS COC has granted regional accreditation to this online law school. The non-profit college currently offers over 35 programs in a variety of fields, but only one online law degree program. The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (M.S) program leads to a Master’s Degree. This accredited online law school, on the other hand, has a total enrollment of 10,447 students and a 74.4 percent acceptance rate. However, ASU charges $17,161 for undergraduates and $13,977 for graduates in tuition.
5. Grand Canyon University
HLC has accredited this online law school, and it is a member of the North Central Association. It has two law online programs, despite having up to 220 programs leading to other degrees. These online law school programs lead to a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in law. These are the details:
- BA in Government – Legal Studies, and
- MS in Criminal Justice – Legal Studies.
GCU has a total student population of 20,500 people and a 56.9% acceptance rate. Students attend this school, which is also quite competitive. However, an online law degree from GCU will set you back $17,050 in tuition fees.
6. Albany State University
SACS COC has granted regional accreditation to this online law school. It currently offers only a law program leading to a law degree, out of a total of 46 programs. Certificate in Legal Assistant/Paralegal – Certificates and Diplomas is the name of the program. In the meantime, this non-profit law school has a total enrollment of 6,371 students and a 49.7% acceptance rate. This figure indicates that the university is competitive. This accredited online law school, on the other hand, charges $16,136 for undergraduate and $15,720 for graduate tuition.
7. Georgia State University
The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has granted regional accreditation to this online law school (SACS COC). It is also a non-profit, public university. While this school offers 33 programs in other fields of study, it only offers an online associate degree program in law. An Associate of Arts in Political Science is offered. Furthermore, the university has a total enrollment of 32,082 students and a 58.8% acceptance rate. This indicates that there is some competition for admission. Meanwhile, as an undergraduate online law student, you’ll pay $23,971 in tuition and $24,646 as a graduate student.
8. Central Washington University
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities has granted regional accreditation to this online law school (NWCCU). The accredited online law school also offers over 24 other programs, as well as an online bachelor’s degree in law. This is a fully online Bachelor of Arts in Law and Justice program leading to a bachelor’s degree. CWU, on the other hand, has a total enrollment of 11,500 students and a 79.7% acceptance rate. Students apply to this school, although it is not particularly competitive. Furthermore, CWU’s online tuition is $22,010 for undergraduates and $22,421 for graduate students.
Conclusion
Online law schools allow you to study law while working and possibly raising a family. However, the American Bar Association (ABA), the country’s leading law accreditation body, does not recognize online law degrees. Except in California, you cannot enroll in an online law degree program if you intend to practice law. This is currently the only state in the United States that allows online law degree holders to sit for the Bar exam and practice law there. Meanwhile, a career in law is very broad and can lead to a variety of high-paying jobs in various industries.
As a result, you can still get a law degree online and stay current. If you decide to study law online, our list of online law schools will help you get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Online Juris Master’s Program at Florida State University is ranked #2 in the nation for Online Master’s in Legal Studies. A master’s degree in law can help you advance your career by teaching you important legal and regulatory compliance skills.
So, in my opinion – and this is all I have – there are currently some online law courses available in Canadian universities, as well as some hybrid programs with a significant online component, but no fully online degree accredited by a Canadian law society.
Online legal education: The American Bar Association currently does not recognize any fully online J.D. programs. However, there are a few blended, or partially online, options for obtaining a J.D.
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