Paralegal Studies · California

Paralegal Studies colleges in California

CampusPin lists 279 U.S. colleges in California that offer Paralegal Studies programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

Paralegal Studies trains graduates to support attorneys with legal research, drafting, and case management, suiting detail-oriented students drawn to law without attending law school.

Schools in California that offer Paralegal Studies

Paralegal Studies programs in California: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 279 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

279

Public / private

19 / 31

Universities / 2-year

41 / 9

Cities represented

36

In-state tuition range

$1,104–$63,255

Median in-state tuition

$15,195

Lowest published in-state tuition

Barstow Community College

$1,104

Most selective

California Institute of Technology

3% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

California State University-Fullerton

41,793 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a Paralegal Studies program

  • Legal research using Westlaw, LexisNexis, and primary sources
  • Legal writing: memos, briefs, pleadings, and correspondence
  • Civil litigation procedure and the stages of a lawsuit
  • Substantive law: contracts, torts, property, and criminal law
  • Legal ethics and the unauthorized-practice-of-law boundary
  • Case management, document review, and e-discovery software
  • Client interviewing, fact investigation, and evidence gathering
  • Specialized practice areas such as litigation, corporate, real estate, or family law

Where a Paralegal Studies degree can lead

  • Paralegals and legal assistants
  • Litigation Paralegal
  • Corporate Paralegal
  • Legal Assistant
  • Contract Administrator
  • Compliance Specialist

Typical pay: BLS, 2024 paralegals and legal assistants median $61,010

A Paralegal Studies major covers legal research and writing, civil litigation and procedure, contract law, torts, legal ethics, and the use of case-management and e-discovery software. Programs are offered as both bachelor's degrees and shorter associate's or certificate tracks, and most include hands-on training in drafting pleadings, summarizing depositions, organizing case files, and interviewing clients under attorney supervision. Many bachelor's programs add concentrations such as litigation, corporate, real estate, or family law, and often require an internship at a law firm, court, corporate legal department, or government agency.

Paralegals (also called legal assistants) perform substantive legal work under the direction of a licensed attorney but cannot give legal advice or represent clients in court. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for the occupation, so a four-year Paralegal Studies degree is more than the minimum credential and can support advancement into senior or specialized paralegal roles; those who later decide to practice law independently must complete a separate law degree (JD) and pass a state bar exam.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034, and the occupation had a 2024 median annual wage of $61,010.

Paralegal Studies in other states

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