Best Accredited Online Juris Doctorate (JD) Law Programs

This list was based on the American Bar Association’s list of accredited institutions. Our ranking is composed of the ten best online law degree JD programs with the following criteria in mind.

Student support services
Financial aid opportunities
Popularity in rankings
Reasonable tuition costs
Networking opportunities
Availability of online programs/courses
Accreditation with colleges and schools commission agencies and academic organizations

These criteria, however, are not to say that the ABA-accredited law schools not included on the list are below average. All traditional and online law schools have their own strengths, but the following ten schools stood out the most during our evaluation.

Career Outlook for Students with Law Degree

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Pre-law Studies

Degree Level: Doctorate

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)

Career Salaries

Career	Job Growth	Avg. Salary
Legal Support Workers, All Other	0.19%	$62,642
Paralegals and Legal Assistants	4.18%	$56,003

Average Career Salaries

Bottom 10%	Median	Top 10%
$39,973	$58,625	$97,522

Promising Job Markets

State	Cost of Living	Avg. Salary
#2 Virginia	5% higher than average	$99,950
#3 Michigan	15% higher than average	$61,585
#4 Missouri	16% higher than average	$57,980
#5 Arkansas	16% higher than average	$57,620
#6 Washington	7% higher than average	$71,985
#7 Texas	10% higher than average	$59,780
#8 Connecticut	18% higher than average	$78,525
#9 Minnesota	4% higher than average	$63,295
#10 Pennsylvania	5% higher than average	$62,525
#11 Ohio	14% higher than average	$54,710
#12 Delaware	2% higher than average	$64,980
#13 New York	5% higher than average	$66,030
#14 Georgia	13% higher than average	$54,570
#15 Massachusetts	24% higher than average	$76,290
#16 Illinois	7% higher than average	$57,275
#17 Colorado	3% higher than average	$63,065
#18 North Carolina	11% higher than average	$53,740
#19 Arizona	5% higher than average	$57,480
#20 Rhode Island	20% higher than average	$72,090
#21 Kansas	9% higher than average	$54,790
#22 Mississippi	18% higher than average	$49,155
#23 South Carolina	8% higher than average	$53,820
#24 South Dakota	7% higher than average	$54,100
#25 Nevada	5% higher than average	$60,835
#26 Iowa	9% higher than average	$52,660
#27 Alabama	13% higher than average	$50,090
#28 Tennessee	14% higher than average	$48,985
#29 Kentucky	14% higher than average	$48,810
#30 Idaho	7% higher than average	$52,335
#31 Oklahoma	13% higher than average	$49,020
#32 Oregon	11% higher than average	$62,135
#33 District of Columbia	49% higher than average	$83,275
#34 New Jersey	13% higher than average	$63,165
#35 Indiana	11% higher than average	$49,405
#36 Louisiana	9% higher than average	$50,155
#37 Nebraska	6% higher than average	$51,750
#38 Maryland	18% higher than average	$64,635
#39 Florida	6% higher than average	$50,870
#40 Vermont	13% higher than average	$60,380
#41 New Mexico	7% higher than average	$49,860
#42 Wyoming	2% higher than average	$52,000
#43 Alaska	23% higher than average	$63,890
#44 New Hampshire	13% higher than average	$58,105
#45 Wisconsin	7% higher than average	$47,975
#46 Maine	9% higher than average	$55,500
#47 Utah	4% higher than average	$48,780
#48 West Virginia	11% higher than average	$44,930
#49 North Dakota	average	$50,260
#50 California	26% higher than average	$62,370
#51 Montana	3% higher than average	$47,170
#52 Hawaii	40% higher than average	$57,950

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Legal Support Workers, All Other	$62,642
Paralegals and Legal Assistants	$56,003

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Those with a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree influence many facets of our society, from governmental rules, estate planning, contract conflicts, and criminal justice.

Many law schools are broadening their curriculum to include online JD degree programs to better prepare students for the Bar Exam and get their license to practice law in the US. It is important to note, however, that online JD degree programs are not 100% online degree programs; instead, they’re hybrid doctorate degree programs that are a mix of online and on-campus graduate degree coursework.

What is a Juris Doctorate?

A Juris Doctorate degree, also known as a JD or Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, is a professional degree designed to prepare students for a legal profession after completing an online master program. It is the most popular educational route to sit for the Bar Exam in the US.

JD degree programs require students to complete 85 to 90 credit hours, generally taking three years of full-time study; part-time students can take up to five years. Online law degrees provide training that is identical to an on-campus program and they give students the skills and knowledge to pass the Bar Exam.

It is important to note that you can only obtain a JD by graduating from a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

What To Expect from ABA-Accredited Professional Law Degree Programs

Mid- or senior-career professionals can benefit greatly from attending online law degree programs. The greatest way to start a fulfilling and rewarding new job practicing law may be to earn a Juris Doctorate (JD) at the best online law schools.

The average cost of attending law school, including living fees and additional costs like books and supplies, is $45,990 per year. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average overall expenditure is $206,180.

When enrolled full-time, law school takes three years to complete. Part-time students, on the other hand, generally complete the didactic and experiential coursework in four to five years.

JD curricula frequently emphasize the methods and techniques utilized in court and for legal research. Additionally, you can get the chance to concentrate your research on one area of law. Typical concentrations include:

Advocacy law
Business law
Civil law
Constitutional law
Contract law
Employment law
Criminal law
Entertainment (or media) law
Environmental law
General practice law
Intellectual property law
Maritime law
Tax law
Torts

Student Submitted Questions on Online Juris Doctorate Degrees and Online Law Schools

Leo asks, “Why are ABA-accredited JD degree programs completed in hybrid learning formats only?”

Dr. James Barham’s answer: Since 1952, the American Bar Association (ABA) has served as the benchmark for accrediting law schools. No ABA-accredited institutions currently offer a fully online law education, with zero on-campus requirements. Lawyers and attorneys must pass state Bar Exams, follow the rules for ethical behavior, and develop client trust under challenging situations.

ABA-accredited institutions require students to complete externships and spend weeks on campus each year to enhance learning from their online coursework, network with faculty and peers, and put their knowledge into practice.

ABA-Accredited vs. Unaccredited Law Schools

You might have heard about non-ABA law schools, but you might not have fully understood them. After all, it is a topic that is frequently sidestepped in favor of discussing the more illustrious law schools that the ABA accredits.

The key distinctions between schools with ABA accreditation and those without it are the educational standards available to students and how simple it is to sit for the Bar Exam after graduating, which is the last step in securing employment as legal professionals or lawyers.

ABA-accredited institutions have undergone stringent examination and worked to comply with specific criteria to become accredited. Therefore, ABA-accredited law schools are proven to provide better academic rigor. The quality of the classes at non-ABA-accredited law schools may not be as uniform as those at an ABA-accredited school.

Consequently, while graduates of ABA-accredited law schools are always eligible to take the exam, most (but not all) states do not let graduates from non-ABA schools sit for the Bar Exam.

A non-ABA law school may be the best choice if you want to remain in the state where you attend law school. An ABA law school, on the other hand, is best if you want the freedom to move with your legal degree.

In most states, you can retake the Bar Exam after several years of practice, although it may take 10 to 15 years.

Sophie asks, “Can online JD graduates from accredited law schools sit for the Bar?”

Dr. Jed Macosko’s answer: If your law school is ABA-accredited, you can qualify to take the Bar Exam, work in any state, and become an attorney in that state.

Jaden asks, “Are LSAT scores needed in online law programs?”

Dr. James Barham’s answer: While LSAT scores are mandatory for some online law schools, other law schools accept an LSAT or GRE score as long as they were taken in the last five years.

Jaden asks, “What are the differences between a Juris Doctor and a Juris Master online law degree program?

Dr. Jed Macosko’s answer: A Juris Master concentrates on more specialized areas of business, nonprofit, or government positions that do not need to pass the Bar Exam. A Juris Doctor degree prepares students to sit and pass the exams to become lawyers or judges.

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Best Accredited Online Juris Doctorate (JD) Law Programs

Key Takeaways

Best Online Juris Doctorate Degree Programs

The 10 Best Online JD Doctorate Degrees

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What We Love About Touro University

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Career Outlook for Students with Law Degree

Pre-law Studies

Degree Level: Doctorate

Career Salaries

Average Career Salaries

Promising Job Markets

Top Industries

What is a Juris Doctorate?

What To Expect from ABA-Accredited Professional Law Degree Programs

Student Submitted Questions on Online Juris Doctorate Degrees and Online Law Schools

ABA-Accredited vs. Unaccredited Law Schools