10 Affordable Online Master's in Legal Studies Programs 2025

In most cases, to practice law, you need to go to law school and earn a Juris Doctorate (JD), then pass the bar exam to become a practicing attorney. But what if you need legal skills, but don't want to become a lawyer?

That's precisely what master's degrees in legal studies are for. These degrees provide you with general and sometimes field-specific law knowledge for real-world situations. Keep reading to discover some of the most affordable Master of Legal Studies online degrees.

What Is an Online Master's Degree in Legal Studies?

Master's degrees in legal studies help students develop legal skills without going to law school. These degrees are typically aimed at professionals whose roles or career goals could benefit from legal knowledge.

These degrees are offered as Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degrees, as well as Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS) degrees. Sometimes, legal studies is available as a concentration within another major, like criminal justice.

Earning a degree online allows students to take their classes virtually without having to appear in person. This is typically a flexible option ideal for working professionals.

How Much Does an Online Master's in Legal Studies Cost?

Of the schools that offer master's in legal studies online programs, tuition costs can range from under $400 per credit to over $1,000 per credit. The tuition rate will depend on a few things, including what school you choose, what state you live in, and how many credits you need.

Your costs may be different than the sticker price if you receive financial aid. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what scholarships and grants they're eligible for.

Cheapest Master of Legal Studies Online Programs

Choosing an affordable school is the first step in keeping your costs low. Below, we've highlighted some of the most affordable online master's in legal studies programs.

1. University of Illinois Springfield.

The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) is a public institution in Springfield, IL. It offers a Master of Arts in legal studies aimed at students who are pursuing professions where the practical knowledge of the law and legal system is required.

This degree program includes courses on legal research, public advocacy, theories of justice, and more. It requires 36 credit hours, and most students finish within two years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $376.75 per credit
• Financial aid: UIS accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private student aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Humphreys University

At Humphreys University, students can earn a Master of Legal Studies degree virtually and gain specialized knowledge about the legal system and processes. This 40-credit program includes courses on legal writing, contracts, and torts.

Humphreys University, a private, nonprofit institution, is located in Stockton, CA. Students conclude this MLS program with a capstone project.

• Estimated tuition cost: $460 per credit
• Financial aid: Humphreys accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC)

3. PennWest Global

PennWest Global offers an online Master of Science (MS) in legal studies. PennWest Global is the online campus of the public Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) system.

This program is for those who want to advance their careers in law, government, or public policy without becoming a lawyer. It requires 30 credit hours and covers topics like business law, public policy, and legal methods. Students can also choose from electives in areas like criminal law and national security.

• Estimated tuition cost: $534 per credit (in-state); $545 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: PennWest Global offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

4. Liberty University

Several options are available to students at Liberty University who want to pursue legal studies without a JD program. These include:

• Juris Master (JM) in American legal studies
• Juris Master in international legal studies
• Master of Laws (LLM) in international legal studies

Liberty University, located in Lynchburg, VA, is a private evangelical school. The JM programs here require 30 credit hours, and the LLM requires 24 credit hours.

• Estimated tuition cost: $580 per credit
• Financial aid: Liberty offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

5. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) is a public research institution in Tempe, AZ. It offers an online MLS program that provides students the opportunity to understand U.S. law without pursuing a full law degree.

Students can customize their degree with concentrations in numerous legal areas, including business law, intellectual property law, and Navajo Nation law. The program requires 30 total credit hours.

• Estimated tuition cost: $605 per credit
• Financial aid: ASU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Saint Leo University

Students at Saint Leo University can earn a master's degree in criminal justice with a concentration in legal studies. It's designed for professionals who are interested in furthering their legal knowledge and understanding of the U.S. legal system.

St. Leo University, a private Catholic school, is located in Saint Leo, FL. Its legal studies program requires 36 credits and includes a criminal justice core as well as courses on legal issues, criminal advocacy, and civil litigation.

• Estimated tuition cost: $695 per credit
• Financial aid: Saint Leo University accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University (NKU) offers an online MLS degree in digital law and technology through its College of Law. NKU is a public university in Highland Heights, KY.

The program requires 30 credit hours, including two core courses in legal analysis and legal research. After that, students choose from electives in technology law, digital forensics, cybersecurity, and overall legal concepts in the technology space.

• Estimated tuition cost: $699 per credit
• Financial aid: NKU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. University of Arizona

The online MLS degree at the University of Arizona (U of A or UA) is a 30-credit program that provides a strong legal education to non-lawyers. It offers several concentrations, including legal risk management, human rights, business law, and criminal law.

U of A, located in Tucson, AZ, is a public research university. It requires all students to take core courses on American public law, legal procedures, and legal research and writing.

• Estimated tuition cost: $750 per credit
• Financial aid: U of A offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: WASCUC

9. Trinity International University

Trinity International University (TIU) is a private Christian school in Bannockburn, IL. It offers an MLS online through its California-based school of law.

Concentrations are available in areas like contracts and negotiation, criminal justice, human resource management, and human trafficking advocacy. The core courses for this 30-credit program cover areas like legal principles, contracts, and torts.

• Estimated tuition cost: $750 per credit
• Financial aid: TIU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private student aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

10. Webster University

Through Webster University, students can earn a legal studies master's degree online. The 30-credit program includes courses on legal research, legal ethics, constitutional law, and more.

Webster University, located in St. Louis, is a private, nonprofit institution. Its online MLS requires all students to take at least nine credit hours of required legal specialty courses through synchronous instruction.

• Estimated tuition cost: $775 per credit
• Financial aid: Webster accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the programs for this list, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools are regionally accredited.
• Affordability: We looked for the most affordable options, and all schools are less than $800 per credit.
• Program reputation: Every school is nonprofit and offers high-quality programs to MLS students.

What To Expect From an Online Master's in Legal Studies

The admissions requirements for an MLS degree usually include a bachelor's degree and a minimum GPA. You may also need to take the Graduate Records Examinations (GRE) or Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Many applications also require personal essays or letters of recommendation.

The coursework in your legal studies degree will cover core concepts of law and the legal system. If you choose a concentration, you'll also take courses in that area.

Most master's degrees in legal studies require 30 to 40 semester credit hours. Full-time students can typically complete them in one to two years.

FAQs About Low-Cost Online Legal Studies Master's Programs

Earning a master's degree in legal studies can help you reach your professional goals. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about affordable online legal studies master's programs.

Is an Online Master's in Legal Studies Worth It?

For many students, an online master's in legal studies is worth it. While they won't make you a practicing attorney, they do provide you with legal skills can be valuable for various professions.

Additionally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a Master of Legal Studies salary is usually 16% higher than the salary for just a bachelor's degree.

Is a Master of Legal Studies Better Than an LLM?

Whether an MLS or LLM is better depends on your career goals. These degrees have different purposes.

An MLS is for professionals in fields outside of law who need legal knowledge. An LLM is usually for legal professionals, including JDs, who want to expand their knowledge into a specific area of law.

What Can You Do With a Master's in Legal Studies Degree?

There are plenty of Master of Legal Studies jobs available, including:

• compliance officer
• contract manager
• court administrator
• employment law consultant
• federal regulatory agent
• legal consultant
• patent officer
• regulatory agent

How Many Years Is a Master's in Legal Studies Program?

Most legal studies programs take one to two years of full-time study. Some programs offer part-time options, and others offer more accelerated schedules.

Are There Any Prerequisites for Enrolling in an Online Master of Legal Studies Program?

Students wanting to pursue an MLS will need a bachelor's degree, and usually a minimum undergraduate GPA. You may also need to take the GRE or LSAT, and you may need letters of recommendation or a personal essay.

You can usually find full admissions requirements on the program website, as well as information like application deadlines and start dates.

Discover Online Legal Studies Degrees

Start your journey toward reaching your career goals by exploring the legal studies degrees featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.