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Chicago is one of the nation’s largest legal markets, offering aspiring paralegals opportunities in corporate law, civil litigation, intellectual property, immigration, real estate, and criminal defense.
With major law firms, federal and state courts, Fortune 500 companies, and government agencies throughout the metropolitan area, Chicago provides an excellent environment for building a successful legal career.
Students can choose from American Bar Association (ABA) approved associate degrees, university certificates, bachelor’s degrees, and flexible online programs.
Chicago and its surrounding suburbs offer numerous educational pathways for first-time college students and experienced professionals interested in entering the legal field.
1 Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago offers ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Certificates specializing in Litigation Practice, Corporate Practice, or both fields.
Students study legal research, legal writing, professional ethics, legal technology, civil litigation, contracts, and corporate procedures.
Classes are offered in person and through live online instruction.
Program Length
The Litigation Practice and Corporate Practice certificates each require 22 semester credits and can be completed in approximately 1 year.
The combined certificate requires 28 credits.
Cost
For 2026-2027, tuition is $860 per credit.
A 22-credit certificate costs approximately $18,920 before technology fees, legal research fees, and other expenses.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Address: 820 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
2 Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University offers an ABA-approved Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies and a Post-Baccalaureate Paralegal Certificate.
The curriculum includes legal research, litigation, legal document drafting, professional ethics, and legal technology.
Both programs offer online instruction with required live class participation.
Program Length
The bachelor’s degree generally takes 4 years, with shorter completion pathways for transfer students.
The post-baccalaureate certificate consists of eight courses and can be completed in approximately 9 to 16 months.
Cost
The post-baccalaureate certificate’s published 2025-2026 tuition was $13,320, excluding semester fees and textbooks.
Students should confirm the 2026-2027 rate before enrolling.
Admission Requirements
Certificate applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 is recommended.
Address: 430 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
3 Harold Washington College
Harold Washington College, part of the City Colleges of Chicago system, offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science in Law and Paralegal Studies.
Students study legal research, legal writing, civil litigation, family law, contracts, torts, real estate, and professional ethics.
Electives include immigration law, criminal law, and legal office technology.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 60 semester credits and typically takes approximately 2 years of full-time study.
Cost
For 2026-2027, City Colleges of Chicago charges in-district students $163 per credit.
Base tuition for the degree is approximately $9,780, excluding additional fees and textbooks.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet City Colleges of Chicago’s general admission requirements and satisfy applicable course placement and prerequisite requirements.
Address: 30 East Lake Street, Chicago, IL
4 Wilbur Wright College
Wilbur Wright College offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science in Law and Paralegal Studies.
The curriculum covers legal research, litigation, real estate law, family law, contracts, criminal law, and legal ethics.
Students develop practical skills in preparing legal documents, researching cases, and assisting attorneys with litigation.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 60 credits and can generally be completed in 4 semesters of full-time study.
Cost
Chicago residents pay $163 per credit under the 2026-2027 tuition schedule, bringing the estimated base tuition to $9,780 before additional expenses.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the college’s general admission requirements and complete necessary placement assessments or prerequisites.
Address: 4300 North Narragansett Avenue, Chicago, IL
5 College of DuPage
College of DuPage offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science in Legal Studies and a post-degree Paralegal Certificate.
Students study civil litigation, legal research and writing, document drafting, legal ethics, and law office technology.
Both programs include a 120-hour supervised paralegal practicum.
Classes are available in person, online, and through live virtual instruction.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 64 to 67 credits and typically takes 2 years.
The 36-credit certificate can be completed in approximately 3 semesters.
Cost
For 2026-2027, in-district tuition and standard fees are $160 per credit.
The associate degree costs approximately $10,240 to $10,720, while the certificate costs approximately $5,760 before additional expenses.
Admission Requirements
Associate degree applicants must complete three prerequisite courses with a combined GPA of at least 2.66.
Certificate applicants must already hold an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, or higher qualifying degree.
Address: 425 Fawell Boulevard, Glen Ellyn, IL
6 Oakton College
Oakton College offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies and a Paralegal Studies Certificate.
The curriculum includes legal research, legal writing, litigation, criminal law, real estate, contracts, and professional ethics.
Students can choose in-person or online classes, although at least 9 legal specialty credits must be completed through synchronous instruction.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 60 semester credits and typically takes 2 years.
The 24-credit certificate can generally be completed in approximately 1 year.
Cost
For 2026-2027, in-district tuition is $136.25 per credit.
Base tuition is approximately $8,175 for the associate degree and $3,270 for the certificate, excluding fees and textbooks.
Admission Requirements
Associate degree applicants must meet general college admission requirements.
Certificate applicants must already hold an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Address: 1600 East Golf Road, Des Plaines, IL
7 Harper College
Harper College offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science in Legal Studies and a post-degree Legal Studies Certificate.
The curriculum includes civil litigation, legal research, family law, real estate, contracts, intellectual property, immigration law, and legal ethics.
Students also complete practical coursework involving legal documents, research databases, and law office technology.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 60 credits and typically takes 2 years.
The 24-credit certificate can generally be completed in approximately 1 year.
Cost
For 2026-2027, in-district tuition is $145.75 per credit.
Base tuition is approximately $8,745 for the associate degree and $3,498 for the certificate, before mandatory fees and textbooks.
Admission Requirements
Associate degree applicants must satisfy general admission requirements.
Certificate applicants must possess an associate or bachelor’s degree with qualifying general education coursework.
Address: 1200 West Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL
8 South Suburban College
South Suburban College offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science in Law and Paralegal Studies and a Paralegal Certificate.
Students study legal research, civil litigation, evidence, criminal law, contracts, professional ethics, and law office technology.
Both programs are available online, with at least 9 credits of legal specialty courses requiring live instruction. Students also complete an internship.
Program Length
The associate degree requires 61 credits and typically takes 2 years.
The certificate pathway is designed for completion in approximately 3 semesters.
Cost
The college lists in-district and online tuition at $152 per credit, plus required technology and student fees.
At that rate, base tuition for the 61-credit degree is approximately $9,272 before additional expenses.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must complete introductory legal and business law courses before applying for formal program admission.
Certificate applicants must already hold a qualifying college degree.
Address: 15800 South State Street, South Holland, IL
9 Moraine Valley Community College
Moraine Valley Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies and a Paralegal Studies Certificate.
Students study legal research, civil litigation, criminal law, bankruptcy, family law, probate, real estate, and legal office administration.
The program is available at the Palos Hills campus and online.
First-year legal specialty coursework requires synchronous instruction.
Program Length
The associate degree requires approximately 60 credits and takes 2 years.
The certificate requires approximately 42 credits and is designed for students who already possess a qualifying degree.
Cost
For fall 2026, in-district tuition and standard fees total $168 per credit.
Estimated tuition and standard fees are approximately $10,080 for a 60-credit degree and $7,056 for a 42-credit certificate, excluding books and additional charges.
Admission Requirements
Associate degree applicants must meet general college admission requirements.
The certificate is intended for students who already hold an associate degree or higher.
Some degree types may require additional general education coursework.
Address: 9000 West College Parkway, Palos Hills, IL
10 College of Lake County
College of Lake County offers an ABA-approved Associate of Applied Science in Legal Studies and a post-degree Legal Studies Certificate.
The curriculum includes legal research, civil litigation, professional ethics, legal writing, legal technology, and electronic discovery.
The college also incorporates practical fieldwork and career preparation activities.
The certificate can be completed online through a combination of scheduled virtual classes and independent coursework.
Program Length
The associate degree typically takes 4 to 5 semesters of full-time study.
The certificate can generally be completed in approximately 1 year.
Cost
For 2026-2027, the college estimates in-district tuition and comprehensive fees at $11,214 for the associate degree and $5,518 for the certificate.
Textbooks and other expenses may increase the total.
Admission Requirements
Associate degree applicants must meet general admission requirements.
Certificate applicants must already hold a qualifying associate degree or higher and submit official transcripts for evaluation.
Address: 19351 West Washington Street, Grayslake, IL
11 Elgin Community College
Elgin Community College offers an ABA-approved Paralegal Certificate designed to prepare students for employment in legal offices, corporations, and government agencies.
Students learn legal research, document drafting, litigation procedures, professional ethics, and legal technology.
The program includes a paralegal internship and a capstone portfolio.
Online coursework is available, with at least 9 credits requiring live instruction.
Program Length
The certificate requires 23 semester credits and can be completed in approximately 1 year.
Students without a previous college degree can complete the certificate coursework alongside an associate degree, typically within 2 years of full-time study.
Cost
For 2026-2027, in-district tuition is $148 per credit.
Base tuition for the 23-credit certificate is approximately $3,404, excluding textbooks and additional college fees.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet general college admission requirements and satisfy individual course prerequisites.
Before receiving the certificate, students must provide proof of a completed associate or bachelor’s degree or obtain an approved educational waiver.
Address: 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, IL
Schools Summary Table
Salary by Metro Area in Illinois
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 260 | $63,660 | $30.61 | $88,510 | $46,590 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 100 | $61,400 | $29.52 | $80,020 | $45,910 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 11,590 | $74,920 | $36.02 | $106,040 | $50,160 |
| Decatur, IL | 30 | $61,830 | $29.73 | $85,050 | $45,280 |
| Peoria, IL | 370 | $66,090 | $31.77 | $98,230 | $42,920 |
| Rockford, IL | 200 | $61,790 | $29.71 | $80,610 | $40,430 |
| Springfield, IL | 230 | $62,490 | $30.04 | $78,350 | $43,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Paralegal
Paralegal Schools by City
Paralegal Schools by State