Are you a practicing lawyer who would like to shift your area of expertise? Would you like to specialize in legal issues connected to a personal interest, such as personal rights, the environment, global trade, business, or families and children? Even if you are not a lawyer, if you have an education and professional experience in legal studies or law, one of the cheapest online LLM programs on the list below would provide a wonderful opportunity.
With these degrees, you’ll have the chance to develop skills as a legal expert in a specific topic or area of the law. This not only makes you a more effective lawyer, it allows you to use your knowledge for a higher purpose. It may also allow you to command a higher salary, take on higher profile cases and clients, and build your resume towards a judgeship.
We have found 36 LLM online programs from 21 accredited colleges and universities. These programs come in numerous subjects, and, in many cases, have affordable prices.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost: $38,300
Least Expensive (All Students): University of Arkansas – $13,565
The 11 Cheapest Online LLM Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | University of Arkansas | (AR) | $13,565.00 | All Students |
2 | Liberty University | (VA) | $14,557.00 $6,700.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
3 | University of Arizona | (AZ) | $16,512.00 | All Students |
4 | University of Oklahoma | (OK) | $18,239.00 $29,555.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | Regent University | (VA) | $23,500.00 | All Students |
6 | George Mason University | (VA) | $28,800.00 | All Students |
7 | Stetson University | (FL) | $30,200.00 | All Students |
8 | Samford University | (AL) | $31,916.00 | All Students |
9 | Texas A & M University | (TX) | $33,825.00 | All Students |
10 | Northeastern University | (MA) | $34,776.00 | All Students |
11 | Stetson University | (FL) | $35,700.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Mary's University | (TX) | $38,631.00 | All Students | |
Villanova University | (PA) | $38,800.00 | All Students | |
Western New England University | (MA) | $40,880.00 | All Students | |
Loyola University Chicago | (IL) | $44,115.00 | All Students | |
University of Nebraska-Lincoln | (NE) | $44,544.00 | All Students | |
Vermont Law School | (VT) | $44,850.00 | All Students | |
The University of Alabama | (AL) | $46,800.00 | All Students | |
Loyola Marymount University | (CA) | $51,084.00 | All Students | |
Pepperdine University | (CA) | $64,480.00 | All Students | |
Washington University in St Louis | (MO) | $67,744.00 | All Students | |
Georgetown University | (DC) | $78,432.00 | All Students |
Methodology for Rankings of the Cheapest Online LLM Programs
These rankings of online master of laws 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 affordable online LLM 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 of the cheapest online LLM programs. The rankings are open to any regionally-accredited public or nonprofit college or university that offers an online master of laws 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 master of laws 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.
Why Choose One of the Cheapest Online LLM Programs?
Lawyers and legal professionals complete an LLM degree for many reasons. From career advancement to fulfilling life goals, here are some of the top motivations for entering an LLM program:
- Build on your JD: Juris Doctor (JD) degrees allow you to practice law, but they don’t teach every fine detail of the legal system. With an LLM, you can build on your current JD and become an even better, more nuanced legal professional.
- Work in law without law school: These single-year programs also provide pathways to a legal career without completing the rigors of a JD program, which usually takes three years. While you can’t practice law without a JD, an LLM allows you to provide legal advice (not counsel) and guidance in a variety of settings.
- Enter the U.S. Legal Field: International students who have a law degree from another country, an LLM may allow you to break into the U.S. legal job field and become a practicing attorney.
- Turn your passion into a legal specialty: No matter your interest, there is an LLM program for you. For example, if you are passionate about the environment, an LLM in environmental law allows you to leverage this passion in your career.
How Much Do the Cheapest Online LLM Programs Cost?
While cost can’t be the only consideration when choosing an online LLM program, overall price will likely play a role in your decision. In this database, we have brought together 36 LLM programs from 21 accredited institutions. This gives aspiring legal specialists numerous options for both subject matter and cost.
The most affordable program in this database is the Master of Laws in Agricultural & Food Law from the University of Arkansas. This program has a total cost of $13,565, and this price is available for both in- and out-of-state students. The average cost in this database is $38,300, and 17 programs are priced below this average. You can also choose from nine programs that each have an estimated cost below $25,000.
Plenty of programs go far beyond the average. The most expensive is the Executive Master of Laws from Georgetown University, which is available in two specializations: 1) Securities and Financial Regulations and 2) Taxation. This program has an estimated price of $78,432, making it over twice the cost of the database average.
These programs may not be the cheapest degrees in our database, but they provide advanced learning in an industry that values specialization.
Who Offers the Most Affordable Master of Laws Degrees?
All of these programs provide an elite-level education to current legal experts and practicing lawyers. However, if you are looking for the cheapest online LLM programs, start your search with these three options:
#1. University of Arkansas
Degree: Master of Laws in Agricultural & Food Law
Cost: $13,565 (All students)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
This is the most affordable option in our database, and the low cost of only $13,565 is available to all students, not just Arkansas residents. With this program, you will learn the intricacies of the law as it relates to food and food safety. You’ll become an expert in laws that apply to food production, marketing, and sales while gaining the perspective of farmers, processors, retailers, and customers. Graduates can work for federal and state governments, private companies, farm organizations, and more.
Throughout your studies in this program, you’ll have access to a variety of resources and information that make your learning experience smooth and convenient.
#2. Liberty University
Degree: Master of Laws in International Legal Studies
Cost: $14,557 (In-state and Out-of-state)
Cost: $6,700 (Military)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
This is the second-cheapest option, and it’s arguably one of the most interesting. This program helps you gain a deeper understanding of international law and how it relates to a variety of specific law practices. It builds on your existing legal skills and gives you tools to research treaties, customary international law, and other international principles.
With a low price of $14,557 offered to both Virginia residents as well as those in other states, this is a great option for students nationwide. Military students are eligible for special pricing, making the total cost of the degree just $6,700 for them. This is by far the lowest pricing available for any of the degrees in our database.
Liberty University, a private Christian institution based in Virginia, has created one of the most respected online schools. They offer over 600 online degrees and provide support services to help you through your learning experience.
#3. University of Arizona
Degree: Master of Laws
Cost: $16,512 (All students)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Once again, this low price is available to all law students, regardless of where they live. Within this law program, students can select from a variety of specializations, including U.S. law, mining law, health law, Indian law and policy, international trade, economic development, and more. Essentially, there are three LLM paths (General LLM, Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy, and International Trade & Business Law). From these paths you can then choose a specialization.
With so many specializations, this is a wide-ranging degree program in an already broad degree field. While you can choose a specialization, students in this program must complete a variety of required courses within the specific LLM path. For example, if you choose the General LLM path, you must complete legal research and U.S. law courses, and then select specialized courses in the General path, Mining path, or Health paths.
Master of Laws: Program Types
A master of laws is one of the most unique degree types in all of higher education. While most people understand a master’s degree, they may have never heard of a master of laws. Even people in the legal profession don’t always fully understand this advanced law degree.
Essentially, LLMs build on your current legal education and experience. They require either a Juris Doctor (JD) degree or a bachelor of laws (LLB) degree. They allow you to become a specialist in a specific legal area, industry, or subject matter.
For example, one of the most commonly sought-after LLM degrees is in taxes and taxation. A law degree in this area would emphasize various tax-related subjects, including corporate tax planning, international tax, wealth management, estate planning, and tax procedures.
Or perhaps you want an LLM in environmental law. In this program, you would likely study legal issues and established laws impacting climate change policy, land use, natural resources, water resources, and environmental tax policy.
There are numerous specializations. Although this database is one of the smaller lists on our website, it’s also one of the most diverse and far-ranging. By selecting the perfect specialization, you can direct your legal career into the field of your choice.
Some of the specializations include:
- Food law
- International legal studies
- Energy and natural resources
- Indigenous peoples
- International business
- U.S. law
- Human rights
- Advocacy
- Risk management
- Wealth management
- Elder law
- Territorial law
- Taxation
- Foundations of American law
- Child law
- Family law
- Animal law
- Space
- Cyber law
- Telecommunications
- Dispute resolution
- Securities and finance
- Compliance
- Enterprise and business
Accreditation for LLM Online Programs
Accreditation of a college or university is important when you choose an online LLM program. During the exhaustive accreditation process, a school is meticulously reviewed. It only achieves accredited status if the institution meets high educational standards.
In the United States, institutional accreditation is mostly granted by regional groups, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education. Attending an LLM program from a regionally accredited school is important for all students, as it verifies and legitimizes your degree. However, it’s of particular significance for students who will move on to doctorate programs, such as a Doctor of Judicial Sciences or Ph.D. program. An LLM from a non-accredited institution may not be recognized by doctorate programs.
All the LLM online degree programs in this database come from regionally accredited schools. In fact, this is a requirement for inclusion in our database.
Typical Admission Requirements for a Master of Laws Program
These programs are some of the most elite, high-profile degrees in the entire educational system. Getting into the program is not easy. Admission requires legal education, a strong academic background, and experience working in the legal system.
Every program will have different requirements, but applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or an international equivalent in law or legal issues. This degree, of course, must come from an accredited college or university.
For some programs, a bachelor’s in law or legal studies is not enough. Many require a completed Juris Doctor (JD) degree, the required education for practicing lawyers. The Master of Laws program from Texas A&M, for example, requires a JD.
These are highly specialized programs with various and diverse concentrations, so you often must show a professional connection to the subject matter. This association may be work experience, volunteerism, or another connection of some kind.
Applicants will need to submit a variety of documents throughout the application process. These will include a complete application, a descriptive resume that highlights education and professional experience, a statement of interest, and multiple letters of recommendation written by personal contacts.
The process is complex and detailed, but if you are a current lawyer or legal scholar, you should have the resources and background to gain acceptance into an online LLM program.
Licensing, Training, or Experience Requirements
Most people who enter these programs are already working as lawyers. Therefore, you probably understand the training and licensing requirements for the profession. However, we’ll review the basics and provide an overview of possible experience requirements before and after an online LLM program.
To enroll in these programs, you often need experience in the specific subject. For example, if you are entering one of the affordable online LLM programs in child or family law, you’ll need experience in that legal niche. You may need to have worked as a junior or associate attorney for a law firm that specializes in family law. This same principle applies whether you are seeking an LLM in international law, taxation, American law, corporate law, or financial law; if you are seeking a specialized LLM, you’ll need experience in that area before enrolling.
After graduation, there are few licensing or training requirements. To reiterate, for most people the training and licensing requirements have been met before they enroll in LLM programs online.
Salary and Career Information with an Online LLM Degree
After graduating from one of these LLM online programs, you will be positioned for high earnings within the legal industry. And, as you likely know, lawyers earn some of the best salaries in the entire job market.
The median salary for lawyers, according to the BLS, is $145,760. However, the top 10% earn over $239,000 annually. With an LLM degree, you can likely climb towards these top earnings. Lawyers working for the federal government have the highest median income ($166,030), and an LLM in subjects like environmental policy, international law, or finance could create an opportunity for one of these positions.
The degrees may also advance your career into judgeships and other high-level legal positions. Judges, while earning less than lawyers, are well respected. This position is often seen as the pinnacle of the legal profession.
How Do I Choose a Good Online Master of Laws Program?
Choosing the best online LLM program for your career can seem tough. With so many options, how can you make the right choice?
You can start by thinking about your passions and interests. There are numerous concentrations and LLM specializations, so think about what you enjoy and what sparks your interest. Are you passionate about environmental issues, animal rights, entrepreneurship, natural resources, family issues, space expansion, elder care, or the United States legal system? If you think inwardly, you’ll likely identify one or two areas of interest.
Instead, you can think outward and look for high-demand specializations. For example, there is often a need for tax experts, so specializing in this area could be useful as well.
Once you identify a specialization, you can use this database to browse affordable online LLM programs that meet your career aspirations. If you need further information, the resources from GetEducated.com are always available!