Every career involves legal issues. Every industry, from technology to agriculture to entertainment to manufacturing, touches the law in some way. Professionals who enroll in one of the cheapest master of legal studies online programs, who understand the law and know how to interpret legal and policy documents, even if they are not lawyers, are in high demand.
These degrees, including the cheapest master of legal studies online programs, are for non-lawyers (or aspiring lawyers) who want a stronger understanding of legal communication and the legal process.
Perhaps you are a corporate executive who wants to enhance your knowledge of business law. Perhaps you are a technology professional who needs a better understanding of technology laws and the legal system. Perhaps you are a paralegal who wants to advance your career options and legal expertise. All of these people, and more, can benefit from an online master’s of legal studies.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost: $33,600
Least Expensive (All Students): University of Illinois at Springfield – $16,385
19 Cheapest Master of Legal Studies Online Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | University of Illinois at Springfield | (IL) | $16,385.00 | All Students |
2 | Ohio University | (OH) | $16,388.00 $16,996.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
3 | Humphreys University | (CA) | $17,840.00 | All Students |
4 | Pennsylvania Western University | (PA) | $18,768.00 $20,643.00 $15,492.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
5 | Wayland Baptist University | (TX) | $19,888.00 | All Students |
6 | University of Arizona | (AZ) | $20,184.00 | All Students |
7 | Northern Kentucky University | (KY) | $20,670.00 | All Students |
8 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | (TN) | $21,000.00 $23,250.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
9 |  Liberty University | (VA) | $21,636.00 $10,000.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
10 | Trinity International University | (IL) | $22,850.00 | All Students |
11 | University of Oklahoma | (OK) | $24,508.00 $39,596.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | Saint Leo University | (FL) | $24,740.00 | All Students |
13 | University of Denver | (CO) | $24,800.00 | All Students |
14 | Regent University | (VA) | $25,680.00 | All Students |
15 | Webster University | (MO) | $28,570.00 $15,310.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
16 | University of Cincinnati | (OH) | $28,800.00 $29,250.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
17 | Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $30,660.00 | All Students |
18 | University of Utah | (UT) | $31,500.00 | All Students |
19 | Texas A & M University | (TX) | $32,634.00 $49,002.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Northeastern University | (MA) | $33,960.00 | All Students | |
University of New Hampshire | (NH) | $35,130.00 $39,630.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of St. Thomas - Minnesota | (MN) | $40,928.00 | All Students | |
Seattle University | (WA) | $42,220.00 | All Students | |
University of Southern California | (CA) | $54,023.00 | All Students | |
Washington University in St Louis | (MO) | $67,744.00 | All Students | |
American University | (DC) | $69,844.00 | All Students | |
Georgetown University | (DC) | $78,432.00 | All Students | |
Pepperdine University | (CA) | $79,360.00 | All Students |
Methodology for Rankings of the Cheapest Master of Legal Studies Online Programs
These rankings of online legal studies master’s programs are based on our spring 2024 review of degrees. In order to calculate the total cost, we use a variety of factors including minimum required credit hours, tuition rates, and general fees. At the time of collection, the information was valid and specific to the individual program. Profiles for the same degrees found in the directory on our site may, on occasion, reflect a different cost based on editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated total price for the entire degree, but actual costs will vary by student. For example, if you have transfer credits, your cost may be lower. Prerequisite courses, textbook fees, licensing requirements, financial aid, and numerous other factors can impact the price of an online legal studies master’s degree.
We strive to create the most honest, accurate ranking system possible. Therefore, we do not accept payments from schools to be included or removed from our rankings. The rankings are open to any regionally-accredited public or nonprofit college or university that offers an online legal studies degree. We do not include degrees from non-accredited, nationally-accredited, or for-profit schools in our rankings. We also exclude from our rankings degrees that are available less than 80% online and those that are only available to students in five states or fewer.
Program Note: In order to qualify for a ranking, the online legal studies program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table. Degrees labeled with superscript 14 indicate that options for this program have changed since publication.
AACSB Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Why Choose One of the Cheapest Master of Legal Studies Online Programs?
People pursue these programs for many reasons. Here are some of the top motivations to pursue a master of legal studies online:
- Become more legally proficient: With these degrees, you’ll become an expert in legal issues, which is beneficial to numerous careers and occupations.
- Advance in your organization: If you want to rise in the rankings and hold more responsibility and authority within your company, these programs are a great choice.
- Understand legal issues without becoming a lawyer: Law school is lengthy, difficult, and expensive. The bar exam is extremely difficult. With these programs, you can skip both and still be a legal expert, even if you’re not a lawyer.
- Enhance your earning potential: People with a master’s degree (all subjects) earn roughly $229 more a week than those with a bachelor’s. This translates to nearly $12,000 more in annual earnings.
Master of Legal Studies: Program Cost
These programs come with surprisingly low prices. While they are not free, aspiring legal experts should be able to find an affordable option that fits their budget and enhances their legal knowledge.
The average cost for the online master of legal studies in this database is $33,600. Most of these programs require two years of study, so the typical student should have annual costs around $16,800. Of course, there are legal studies online programs that come with far lower prices.
The most affordable master of legal studies online comes from the University of Illinois at Springfield. The university’s Master of Arts in Legal Studies has a total cost of $16,385, which means the annual cost is about $8,200. Best of all, this cost is available to all students, not just Illinois residents. So no matter where you live, you can enjoy this low price.
Generally, the best way to get a low cost, for any college degree, is to look at in-state public schools. However, three programs have out-of-state costs below $20,000, giving aspiring learners from all across the country a variety of affordable options.
But there are plenty of high-cost options, especially from private schools. The most expensive option is the Master of Legal Studies from Pepperdine University, which has an estimated cost of $79,360. In general, private schools have the highest costs; eight of the nine most expensive degrees in this database come from private schools. Alternatively, six of the eight most affordable come from public schools.
Who Offers the Most Affordable Master of Legal Studies Degrees?
There are 19 affordable master of legal studies online priced below the database average. These three, however, are the cheapest master of legal studies online programs:
#1. University of Illinois at Springfield
Degree: Master of Arts in Legal Studies
Cost: $16,385 (All students)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
This program, which is the most affordable master of legal studies online, gives students an interdisciplinary legal studies curriculum in the study of law, legal issues, and legal documents. The low price of $16,385 for both Illinois residents and out-of-state students makes the program especially noteworthy.
Students in this MA program develop critical thinking skills and an understanding of the legal system and its role in the greater culture, both locally and nationally. The online courses emphasize conceptual thinking, scholarly research, ethics, and the concerns of the public.
#2. Ohio University
Degree: Master of Arts in Law, Justice, & Culture
Cost: $16,388 (In-state, Ohio)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
An innovative and flexible online program, this MA focuses on law and its connection with society, culture, and politics. Available entirely online, it also has a low price for all students, not just in-state learners. Out-of-state students pay roughly $600 more in total for the program ($16,996 compared to $16,388 for in-state), a price that is well below the database average.
Using the OHIO Online system, Ohio University has created one of the most respected remote schools in the entire country. Their online programs are user-friendly and backed by various support services, including online scholarships, mental health support, career services, and professional advising.
#3. Humphreys University
Degree: Master of Legal Studies
Cost: $17,840 (All students)
Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission
All students, regardless of where they live, can take advantage of a low price when they enroll in this online degree program from Humphreys University, a private institution based in California. Although the price is low, the academic standards are high. The program includes rigorous study in the legal system and processes. Graduates can apply reasoning and communication skills to legal issues and learn to conduct legal research while examining laws and regulations.
Online students have access to services including financial aid support that can help students access grants, loans, and work-study programs.
Master’s Degree Program Types
The majority of these programs are either Master of Arts in Legal Studies or Master of Legal Studies. A few are Master of Science programs.
The differences between these three types are subtle and hard to distinguish, but overall a master of arts (MA) is more theoretical and philosophical and may include coursework on the ethics, history, and cultural background of the legal system.
A master of legal studies (MLS) is generally more focused on the structure and technical operation of the American legal system, and will include coursework on procedures, legal research, and the structure of local, state, and federal law.
A master of science (MS) is the most technical and often the most focused. These legal studies programs often build your legal knowledge in specific areas, such as education, healthcare, or technology. Students learn the essential statutes, policies, and legal frameworks that dominate a specific industry or sector.
Arguably, the specialization or concentration is more important than degree type. While specialization will determine future career opportunities, you can also complete an online master’s of legal studies with no specialization. Whether you choose an MA, MLS, or MS degree, you can find numerous concentrations that include:
- Taxation
- Business law
- Compliance
- Employment law
- Human resources
- Entertainment and media
- Environmental law
- Government
- National security
- Health law
- Technology
- Property
- Cybersecurity
- Public interest
Accreditation for Master of Legal Studies Programs
Accreditation acts like a quality-control system for academia. Programs that are accredited, which means they have been reviewed and approved by independent organizations, are more likely to deliver a high-quality education. Accreditation is also important for transferring credits from one school to another. For example, if you complete an online master’s of legal studies from an unaccredited school and then want to advance into a doctorate program, the next university may not accept your master’s degree.
Regional groups typically grant institutional accreditation. However, there is also a form of accreditation known as “programmatic,” which is granted by subject-specific groups. For instance, a pharmaceutical program may be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
There is only one program in this database that has programmatic accreditation, and it doesn’t come from a legal studies organization. The Master of Studies in Law / Ethics & Compliance from the University of St. Thomas - Minnesota has accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
As long as a program comes from a regionally accredited school, it will deliver a respected and transferable master’s education.
Typical Admission Requirements for an Online Master of Legal Studies Program
A master’s degree is one of the highest levels of education. While many have bachelor’s degrees, far fewer have a master’s. The expectations are high for graduate programs, which means the admission standards are high as well.
To enroll in a master’s legal studies program, you must first have an appropriate bachelor’s degree. Possible degree majors, depending on the specific program, include legal studies, political science, criminal justice, cybersecurity, or national security.
You must also provide a statement of purpose for most of these master’s in legal studies, which will outline your motivations for seeking an online master of legal studies degree. Many programs require multiple letters of recommendation, which must be written by former supervisors or instructors. Some programs also require GRE testing, the traditional entry exam for graduate school. Transcripts from previous colleges, an academic resume, and a writing sample may also be required.
Licensing, Training, or Experience Requirements for Legal Studies Careers
There are numerous career options for graduates of these programs. In most cases, they are not meant to enter a specific occupation but instead to supplement, enhance, or advance a current career. The licensing, training, and experience requirements, therefore, are varied.
Most of the careers, however, are management and leadership roles. CEOs, human resources managers, and health services managers are typical students in a master of legal studies online program. These roles typically require at least five years of experience in the specific industry.
These programs do not qualify graduates to become lawyers and practice law, although they can enhance a lawyer’s career by helping them specialize. So while there are specific licensing requirements for a law career, they will be covered during and after law school (a Juris Doctor program) and do not apply to these online degrees.
Legal Studies Master Degree: Salary and Career Information
Occupation | Expected Job Growth | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer* | 8% | $145,760 |
| Compensation Manager | 2% | $136,380 |
| Human Resources Manager | 5% | $136,350 |
| Health Services Manager | 28% | $110,680 |
| Administrative Services Manager | 6% | $106,470 |
| Company Executive | 3% | $103,840 |
| College Administrator | 4% | $102,610 |
| Management Analyst | 10% | $99,410 |
| Project Management Specialist | 6% | $98,580 |
| Arbitrator | 5% | $71,540 |
*A master of legal studies alone does not qualify a graduate to become a lawyer. A Juris Doctor (JD) degree is required. Lawyers may seek a master of legal studies degree in addition to their JD degree to gain additional expertise or specialize in a specific area of law.
Like the training and licensing requirements, it’s hard to pin down specific salary expectations because the careers are so varied. Overall, the incomes are strong and the expected growth is above average. Health services managers, with an expected growth of 28% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, are particularly noteworthy. Lawyers have particularly high salaries, but (again) these programs do not qualify graduates to become attorneys.
It’s important to remember that many of these occupations only require a bachelor’s degree. With a master’s degree you’ll be ahead of the competition. People with a master’s typically earn nearly $12,000 more annually than those with a bachelor’s. Graduates of these programs, if they are skilled and hardworking, can reasonably expect a high salary and excellent job stability.
How Do I Choose a Good Online Legal Studies Master Program?
Whether you need the cheapest master of legal studies online programs or can afford the most expensive online master of legal studies, you need to take your time and find the right program for your future.
Start by researching the cost so that you understand how much you’ll pay. This database is especially useful, as you can find clear pricing information on legal studies programs from accredited schools. All the programs in this database come from accredited institutions, another reason why our database is so effective.
Think about your future goals and expectations to find the right degree type and concentration for your future. For instance, if you already hold a leadership role in the technology sector, a master of legal studies in digital law and technology may be ideal.
With a specific strategy, you can find numerous online master of legal studies programs online master’s of legal studies that fit your specific needs.