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Paralegal programs in Michigan

15 paralegal programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

12 schools offer these paralegal programs, and Michigan has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Paralegals support lawyers: they keep case files in order, research the law and draft documents. Most have an associate degree or a certificate in paralegal studies, though some employers prefer a bachelor's degree; certification isn't required.1

In Michigan, 6 of the 15 programs take students without a high school diploma, 7 ask for a diploma or equivalent, 1 asks for earlier courses first and 1 asks for an associate degree.

By kind, the 15 programs here are paralegal (associate degree, 7 programs), legal assistant or legal secretary (3 programs), paralegal exam prep or short course (3 programs) and paralegal certificate or diploma (2 programs).

See the 15 programs

How much do paralegal programs cost in Michigan?

Certificates and short courses (8 programs)
$2,905 to $5,600most of them, usually 41 to 52 weeks long
Two-year degrees (7 programs)
$8,593 to $11,962most of them, usually 64 to 77 weeks long

What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.

In the typical program

Finished the program
75%
Working 6 months later
73%
Earned a year, estimated
about $32,400
Length
48 to 64 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Michigan may also offer paralegal programs. How these figures are made

Are there free paralegal programs in Michigan?

All 15 paralegal programs in Michigan approved for WIOA funding

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15 programs

  • Paralegal certificate or diplomaOnlineAssociate's degree

    Paralegal Certificate Program

    Oakland University

    Based in Rochester, MI

    Accredited school

    Associate's degree

    Oakland University, based in Rochester, MIParalegal certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolOnline · Associate's degree

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,550

    5 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Paralegal Certificate Program at Oakland University
    More details about Paralegal Certificate Program at Oakland University
    Finished
    77%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $500
    Students counted
    119
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,550
    students trained with WIOA funding
    5
    Program website, Paralegal Certificate Program at Oakland University
  • Paralegal (associate degree)HybridNo diploma needed

    Paralegal

    Macomb Community College

    Warren

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Macomb Community College, WarrenParalegal (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$39,100
    Price if you pay yourself$8,606
    Program website, Paralegal at Macomb Community College
    More details about Paralegal at Macomb Community College
    Finished
    30%
    Working at 6 months
    81%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,783
    Length
    64 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,571
    Students counted
    119
    Earned a year, estimated
    $39,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,606
    Program website, Paralegal at Macomb Community College
  • Paralegal (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Paralegal

    Oakland Community College

    Bloomfield Hills

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Oakland Community College, Bloomfield HillsParalegal (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$26,000
    Price if you pay yourself$7,294
    Program website, Paralegal at Oakland Community College
    More details about Paralegal at Oakland Community College
    Finished
    48%
    Working at 6 months
    80%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,491
    Length
    90 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,200
    Students counted
    107
    Earned a year, estimated
    $26,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,294
    Program website, Paralegal at Oakland Community College
  • Paralegal (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Paralegal Studies/Pre-Law

    Washtenaw Community College

    Ann Arbor

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Washtenaw Community College, Ann ArborParalegal (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$26,200
    Price if you pay yourself$11,876
    Program website, Paralegal Studies/Pre-Law at Washtenaw Community College
    More details about Paralegal Studies/Pre-Law at Washtenaw Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    58%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,539
    Length
    60 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,092
    Students counted
    104
    Earned a year, estimated
    $26,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $11,876
    Program website, Paralegal Studies/Pre-Law at Washtenaw Community College
  • Paralegal (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Legal Studies (0101)

    Lansing Community College

    Lansing

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Lansing Community College, LansingParalegal (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$33,400
    Price if you pay yourself$8,580
    Program website, Legal Studies (0101) at Lansing Community College
    More details about Legal Studies (0101) at Lansing Community College
    Finished
    75%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,343
    Length
    64 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,000
    Students counted
    92
    Earned a year, estimated
    $33,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,580
    Program website, Legal Studies (0101) at Lansing Community College
  • Paralegal (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Paralegal Studies

    Henry Ford College

    Dearborn

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Henry Ford College, DearbornParalegal (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$36,400
    Price if you pay yourself$12,710
    Program website, Paralegal Studies at Henry Ford College
    More details about Paralegal Studies at Henry Ford College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    78%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,098
    Length
    96 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,500
    Students counted
    68
    Earned a year, estimated
    $36,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $12,710
    Program website, Paralegal Studies at Henry Ford College
  • Paralegal (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Paralegal Technology

    Wayne County Community College District

    Detroit

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Wayne County Community College District, DetroitParalegal (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$31,400
    Price if you pay yourself$12,048
    Program website, Paralegal Technology at Wayne County Community College District
    More details about Paralegal Technology at Wayne County Community College District
    Finished
    25%
    Working at 6 months
    53%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,839
    Length
    64 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,920
    Students counted
    41
    Earned a year, estimated
    $31,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $12,048
    Program website, Paralegal Technology at Wayne County Community College District
  • Legal assistant or legal secretaryOnlineNo diploma needed

    Certified Legal Secretary

    Central Michigan University

    Based in Mt Pleasant, MI

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Central Michigan University, based in Mt Pleasant, MILegal assistant or legal secretary · Accredited schoolOnline · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,295
    Program website, Certified Legal Secretary at Central Michigan University
    More details about Certified Legal Secretary at Central Michigan University
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 10 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,295
    Program website, Certified Legal Secretary at Central Michigan University
  • Paralegal exam prep or short courseOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Certified Paralegal (Voucher Included)

    Central Michigan University

    Based in Mt Pleasant, MI

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Central Michigan University, based in Mt Pleasant, MIParalegal exam prep or short course · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,695
    Program website, Certified Paralegal (Voucher Included) at Central Michigan University
    More details about Certified Paralegal (Voucher Included) at Central Michigan University
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 5 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,695
    Program website, Certified Paralegal (Voucher Included) at Central Michigan University
  • Paralegal certificate or diplomaOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Paralegal

    Glen Oaks Community College

    Based in Centreville, MI

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Glen Oaks Community College, based in Centreville, MIParalegal certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,975
    Program website, Paralegal at Glen Oaks Community College
    More details about Paralegal at Glen Oaks Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    45 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,975
    Program website, Paralegal at Glen Oaks Community College
  • Paralegal exam prep or short courseOnlineNo diploma needed

    Certified Paralegal

    Washtenaw Community College

    Based in Ann Arbor, MI

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Washtenaw Community College, based in Ann Arbor, MIParalegal exam prep or short course · Accredited schoolOnline · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,995
    Program website, Certified Paralegal at Washtenaw Community College
    More details about Certified Paralegal at Washtenaw Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,995
    Program website, Certified Paralegal at Washtenaw Community College
  • Paralegal exam prep or short courseSeveral formatsHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Paralegal and Computer User Support Specialist

    Hired In Michigan Career Institute LLC

    Southfield

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Hired In Michigan Career Institute LLC, SouthfieldParalegal exam prep or short courseSeveral formats · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,100
    Program website, Paralegal and Computer User Support Specialist at Hired In Michigan Career Institute LLC
    More details about Paralegal and Computer User Support Specialist at Hired In Michigan Career Institute LLC
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,100
    Program website, Paralegal and Computer User Support Specialist at Hired In Michigan Career Institute LLC
  • Legal assistant or legal secretaryOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Legal Assistant Certificate (Online)

    Joshua Career Institutes

    Based in Dearborn, MI

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Joshua Career Institutes, based in Dearborn, MILegal assistant or legal secretaryOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,750
    Program website, Legal Assistant Certificate (Online) at Joshua Career Institutes
    More details about Legal Assistant Certificate (Online) at Joshua Career Institutes
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    22 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $250
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,750
    Program website, Legal Assistant Certificate (Online) at Joshua Career Institutes
  • Legal assistant or legal secretaryOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Legal Assistant Diploma (Online)

    Joshua Career Institutes

    Based in Dearborn, MI

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Joshua Career Institutes, based in Dearborn, MILegal assistant or legal secretaryOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$7,750
    Program website, Legal Assistant Diploma (Online) at Joshua Career Institutes
    More details about Legal Assistant Diploma (Online) at Joshua Career Institutes
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $250
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,750
    Program website, Legal Assistant Diploma (Online) at Joshua Career Institutes
  • Paralegal (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Legal Assistant

    North Central Michigan College

    Petoskey

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    North Central Michigan College, PetoskeyParalegal (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$11,136
    Program website, Legal Assistant at North Central Michigan College
    More details about Legal Assistant at North Central Michigan College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $5,000
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $11,136
    Program website, Legal Assistant at North Central Michigan College

How to pay for paralegal programs in Michigan

WIOA funding can pay for paralegal programs in Michigan

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for paralegal programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for paralegal programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Paralegal programs in Michigan

programs with a price cost under $5,000
4 of 15
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
19th of 23
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
2 of 12
paralegal programs here, against the typical state's 6
15 vs 6

State comparisons use the same figures as the paralegal programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Paralegal programs in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing and other Michigan cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 7 programs are online.

Other training in Michigan

How paralegal programs compare with the rest of business and office work: Business and office training in Michigan

Where the Michigan paralegal program numbers come from

Which Michigan paralegal programs are on this list?

These are the paralegal programs Michigan approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Michigan offers.

How the prices and results of Michigan paralegal programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about paralegal programs in Michigan

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Paralegals and Legal Assistants
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List