At a Glance: BestColleges' Top Affordable Online Law Programs
#1: Northeastern State University — The program has over two dozen elective options in subjects like family law and litigation.
#2: University of Central Florida — Florida residents can earn an online bachelor's degree for under $200 per credit.
#3: University of Massachusetts Global — This degree includes options to focus on business law or paralegal studies.
Law school is notoriously pricey, but that doesn't mean you have to break the bank for your undergrad law program.
Many online law degree programs across the U.S. offer bachelor's degrees in legal studies, which will prepare you well for entering the industry. Whether you decide to earn your Juris Doctor (JD) after your bachelor's is up to you, but these baccalaureate programs can offer an affordable way to start your educational journey.
We considered net price and student outcomes to bring you this list of the best affordable law programs.
Start Your Legal Studies Journey Today
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Affordable Online Law and Legal Studies Bachelor's Degree Programs
Why the Cheapest Online Law Program Isn't Always the Most Affordable
Affordability is a spectrum.
That means the most affordable programs aren't always the ones with the lowest posted tuition and fees. A lot goes into what you'll actually pay for college, including financial aid, program flexibility, and your living situation while enrolled.
A university may post cheap tuition, for example, but if it doesn't offer the flexibility to keep working while enrolled, is it really affordable? If graduates typically earn low salaries after graduation, is it really worth the low sticker price?
The most affordable colleges blend low tuition with positive return on investment (ROI), making you less likely to be buried in unmanageable debt.
Benefits of Getting an Affordable Undergraduate Law Degree Online
The BestColleges 2025 Online Education Trends Report uncovered key insights into the benefits of earning a degree online, including:
97% of online bachelor's students and graduates say they would recommend online education to others.
3 in 4 respondents say the online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.
Just 17% of online students say paying for college while minimizing student debt was their most significant challenge while enrolled.
How Much Does an Online Law Degree Cost?
Law & Legal Studies Bachelor's, 2020
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $6,315
Avg. Net Price: $3,206
On-Campus
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $9,717
Avg. Net Price: $4,640
Source: NCES PowerStats
A bachelor's degree in legal studies typically won't break the bank.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the 2020 average net price for online students was just over $3,200 per year. This means after you take into account financial aid and other factors, students typically don't pay as much directly out of pocket.
Tuition and fees vary based on institution type, too.
Private, nonprofit colleges tend to be significantly more expensive than public universities. However, at public institutions, you may have to pay a higher price if you are an out-of-state student. On average, online legal studies students paid less after financial aid than on-campus students.
Private, for-profit universities tend to charge the highest net price at online-only institutions.
Find Financial Aid for Your Law Degree
What Is an Online Law Degree's ROI?
Return on investment is influenced by the cost of your studies and the salary you can expect after graduation.
Generally, a bachelor's in legal studies has a positive ROI, as a law degree opens the door to many higher-paying jobs. However, in order to reach the upper echelons of the legal profession, you'll need to earn a Juris Doctor professional degree.
A bachelor's alone can still lead to a positive ROI, as starting salaries for these graduates tend to be over $50,000 per year.
Jobs you can pursue with just a bachelor's degree in legal studies include:
Paralegal
Law clerk
Mediator
Compliance officer
Per Payscale, the average entry-level salary for a paralegal, as of August 2025, is just over $45,500 annually. To become a paralegal or legal assistant, you should graduate from a program accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
How to Save Money on Your Online Law Degree
Legal studies often lead to well-paying jobs, but it's still beneficial to limit your spending on a degree as much as possible. Finding ways to save money on your online law degree could lead to less debt and a brighter future postgraduation.
1. Apply for Financial Aid
First things first: File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
This application can qualify you for federal financial aid, as well as many types of need-based state and institutional aid programs. Low- and middle-income students can benefit from Pell Grants, while filing a FAFSA can also make you eligible for other aid, including Federal Work-Study and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG).
Filing a FAFSA is also essential to qualify for federal student loans.
2. Start at a Community College
Earning an associate from a community college before enrolling in a baccalaureate program is a great way to save money in pursuit of a legal degree.
While there remains some stigma associated with community college, it's an affordable option for millions of students. The average tuition and fees at a public, two-year institution were $4,050 in 2024-25, much lower than the in-state ($11,610) and out-of-state ($30,780) rates at public, four-year universities.
Online bachelor's programs often offer flexible transfer options for students transitioning from an associate to bachelor's program.
3. Get Exempt from Credits
If you are applying for college from the workforce, you may qualify for credit for prior learning (CPL).
Essentially, CPL is a way for colleges and universities to validate learning that happens outside of college classrooms. Experience spent in the workforce, depending on how it applies to your program, could translate into credits, saving you time and money
4. Attend a 'Free' Tuition School
The best way to save money is by not spending it at all.
Many colleges and universities across the country offer tuition-free bachelor's degrees. Some options are geared to low- and middle-income families or students from certain demographic groups, but eligibility requirements vary. Several schools even offer free tuition to all their students. See if one of these schools is a good fit for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Online Law Degrees
A bachelor of science (BS) in legal studies can help prepare you for law school and eventually to become a practicing lawyer.
It's not a prerequisite for law school to have earned a BS in legal studies — you can major in many kinds of programs and still be accepted into law school. However, legal studies can offer a sturdy foundation for your eventual foray into law.
