Best Online Law Schools in 2026: Top JD Programs Worth Considering

Key Takeaways:

• Earning a JD online is now possible at both ABA-accredited and state-accredited law schools, giving you more options than ever before.
• Total program costs vary widely, from around $30,000 to over $180,000, so comparing schools carefully can save you significantly.
• Most online JD programs are designed for working adults and include bar exam preparation as part of the curriculum.

If you have been thinking about law school but assumed it meant quitting your job and moving to a new city, think again. Online JD programs have made it possible for working professionals, parents, and career changers to pursue a law degree on their own terms. At GetEducated, we help you compare online Juris Doctor programs side by side so you can find the right fit for your goals and budget.

What to Look for in an Online Law School

Choosing the right law school comes down more to accreditation and bar eligibility than anything else. Here is what to focus on before you apply:

• ABA accreditation vs. state accreditation: The American Bar Association (ABA) accredits law schools whose graduates can sit for the bar exam in any U.S. state. State-accredited law schools, on the other hand, are typically approved only for the bar exam in specific states, most commonly California. If you plan to practice law in California, a California-accredited school may be a perfectly valid path. If you want flexibility to practice anywhere in the country, an ABA-accredited online law school is the stronger choice.​
• Bar pass rates: Check a school’s bar passage rates before enrolling. The ABA publishes first-time bar passage data for ABA-approved schools.​
• Format: Some programs are fully asynchronous, meaning you study entirely on your own schedule. Others include live class sessions, in-person intensives, or hybrid formats. Know what you are signing up for.​
• Career and bar prep support: Strong programs integrate bar exam preparation into the curriculum itself, rather than leaving you to figure it out on your own.

​According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, lawyer employment is projected to grow 8% between 2022 and 2032, faster than the average for all occupations, with a median annual wage of $145,760 as of May 2023.

Whether you are drawn to California-accredited programs for their affordability or ABA-accredited schools for their nationwide bar eligibility, the programs below cover both ends of the spectrum.

National University: Juris Doctor

National University’s online JD program is built around preparing students for the California Bar Examination. The program emphasizes practical legal skills alongside a rigorous academic foundation, and courses are available in both synchronous and asynchronous formats for flexibility.

• Credits: 82
• Format: 100% Online
• Estimated Cost: $66,502
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission; California Committee of Bar Examiners
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree required

The California Committee of Bar Examiners accreditation means graduates are eligible to sit for the California Bar Exam. Visit National University’s tuition page for current pricing details.

Taft University System: Juris Doctor / Executive

The Juris Doctor / Executive from Taft Law School is designed for professionals who work in law-adjacent fields, such as law enforcement, the courts, or paralegal roles, and want a deeper understanding of the legal system without necessarily pursuing bar admission. It is 100% asynchronous, meaning you set your own pace entirely.​

• Credits: 75
• Format: 100% Online (Asynchronous)
• Estimated Cost: $30,600
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree required

This is one of the most affordable JD-level programs available online. Check Taft’s tuition page for the latest fee schedule.

Taft University System: Juris Doctor / Attorney

For those aiming to practice law in California, Taft’s Juris Doctor / Attorney track prepares students for the California Bar Examination. The program offers two study modalities: Directed Study, which includes regular faculty interaction and graded participation, and Independent Study, which offers maximum flexibility with no fixed weekly schedule.​

• Credits: 96
• Format: 100% Online
• Estimated Cost: $35,415
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree required
• Note: Not available in all states. Check with the school for your state’s eligibility.

Both modalities cover the same material and examinations, so you choose based on how you learn best. Visit Taft’s attorney program tuition page for full pricing.

Abraham Lincoln University: Juris Doctor

Abraham Lincoln University is one of the oldest online law schools in the country. Its JD program is built to prepare students for the California Bar Examination and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination, with no LSAT required for admission. The STAR program offers first-year coaching support to help students stay on track from day one.​

• Credits: 140
• Format: 100% Online
• Estimated Cost: $47,410
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree required
• Note: Not available in all states. Check eligibility before applying.

Core coursework covers contracts, criminal law, torts, civil procedure, and property. Visit ALU’s tuition page to review current costs.

Humphreys University: Juris Doctor

Humphreys University offers a fully online JD program accredited by the State Bar of California, preparing graduates to sit for the California Bar Examination. Courses are taught by working legal professionals, including judges, lawyers, prosecutors, and defense attorneys, bringing real-world experience directly into the classroom.​

• Credits: 120
• Format: 100% Online
• Estimated Cost: $71,400
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission; State Bar of California
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree required

The program is designed to balance education with your existing commitments. See Humphreys’ tuition and fees page for full details.

Trinity International University: Juris Doctor

Trinity International University’s online JD program stands out for its integration of legal training with a biblical worldview, preparing students not just to practice law but to pursue a life of meaningful service. The On Course program begins bar exam preparation from the very first semester, giving students a structured path toward passing the California Bar.​

• Credits: 90
• Format: 100% Online
• Estimated Cost: $98,475
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree required; LSAT required

Full-time students can complete the program in as few as three years; part-time students typically finish in four. Visit Trinity’s law tuition page for current fee information.

University of New Hampshire: Juris Doctor / Intellectual Property & Technology

The UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law offers one of the few ABA-accredited hybrid JD programs focused specifically on Intellectual Property, Technology, and Information Law. The program is delivered primarily online with brief in-person immersion sessions each term, and students receive the same resources, bar prep support, and clinic opportunities as traditional on-campus students.

• Credits: 85
• Format: Mostly Online (Hybrid, with in-person immersions)
• Estimated In-State Cost: $116,350 / Out-of-State: $133,350
• Accreditation: ABA-accredited; New England Commission of Higher Education
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; LSAT or GRE required

Faculty are internationally recognized experts in IP and technology law. See UNH’s law school tuition page for current pricing.

St. Mary’s University: Juris Doctor

St. Mary’s University School of Law offers an ABA-accredited online JD with small cohorts of no more than 24 students, ensuring individualized attention throughout the program. All faculty are certified to teach online, and bar preparation is individually tailored to each student with custom study schedules and coaching.​

• Credits: 90
• Format: 100% Online
• Estimated Cost: $134,993
• Accreditation: ABA-accredited; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree required; LSAT required

Students receive the same opportunities as full-time, on-campus students. Visit St. Mary’s law tuition page for full costs.

University of Dayton: Juris Doctor

The University of Dayton School of Law offers one of the only ABA-approved hybrid JD programs in the United States. Students complete foundational coursework online and attend required Get REAL (Get Relevant Experience and Applied Learning) intensives on campus each year. A semester-long externship in a legal setting is also built into the program.​

• Credits: 90
• Format: Mostly Online (Hybrid, with campus intensives)
• Estimated Cost: $135,840
• Accreditation: ABA-accredited; Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree; LSAT or GRE required
• Note: Not available in Alabama or New York.

A Bar Exam Preparation course is embedded in the curriculum. Check the University of Dayton’s JD costs page for detailed pricing.

Vermont Law School: Juris Doctor

Vermont Law School’s online JD is an ABA-accredited program designed for students who want a strong traditional legal foundation alongside a specialization. Students attend three brief in-person residential sessions, with the remaining coursework delivered in synchronous and asynchronous formats. Concentrations are available in Environmental Law, Food and Agriculture Law, Energy Law, and Restorative Justice.​

• Credits: 79
• Format: Mostly Online (3 in-person residencies required)
• Estimated Cost: $155,100
• Accreditation: ABA-accredited; New England Commission of Higher Education
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree required

Vermont Law School has a long-standing reputation in environmental and sustainability law. See Vermont Law School’s tuition page for current rates.

Syracuse University: Juris Doctor

Syracuse University College of Law’s JDinteractive program was the first ABA-accredited online JD to offer real-time classes. The curriculum mirrors the on-campus program, with courses taught by the same faculty using a blend of live and self-paced learning. Students receive the Helix Bar Prep program free of charge and can join student organizations just like their on-campus peers.​

• Credits: 87
• Format: Mostly Online (Live real-time classes)
• Estimated Cost: $187,050
• Accreditation: ABA-accredited; Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• Admission: Bachelor’s degree required

A unique joint JD/MBA program is also available online. Visit Syracuse Law’s cost of attendance page for full tuition details.

Online Law Schools FAQ

Got questions about online JD programs? Here are answers to some of the most common ones.

Can you actually go to law school online?

Yes. Several ABA-accredited law schools now offer fully online or hybrid JD programs. Graduates of ABA-accredited programs can sit for the bar exam in any U.S. state. Graduates of state-accredited online programs are typically eligible only in the approving state, most often California. If nationwide bar eligibility matters to you, ABA accreditation is the key filter to apply.

Is an online JD degree respected by employers?

Increasingly, yes, particularly for ABA-accredited programs from established institutions. What employers often look at most is bar passage rate, the school’s reputation, and your academic record rather than whether classes were held online or in-person. That said, some large law firms and highly competitive markets may still favor graduates of top-ranked residential programs, so it is worth researching the employers you want to target.

Do online law school students have to take the LSAT?

It depends on the school. Several online law schools, including Abraham Lincoln University and Taft University System, do not require the LSAT for admission. ABA-accredited programs like those at UNH, St. Mary’s, University of Dayton, and Syracuse typically require either the LSAT or the GRE. Check each school’s admission requirements carefully before applying.

How long does an online JD take to complete?

Most online JD programs are designed for part-time students and take three to four years to complete. Some programs may take longer depending on your pace. Full-time formats are less common in the online space, but a few schools offer accelerated tracks.

What can you do with a JD degree besides practice law?

A JD opens doors in many fields beyond traditional legal practice. Graduates pursue careers in compliance, human resources, government, policy, academia, business, and consulting, among others. GetEducated has a helpful guide on alternative careers with a law degree if you want to explore those paths.

Is an online JD cheaper than a traditional law school?

Often, yes. Some online programs, particularly those accredited at the state level rather than by the ABA, are significantly more affordable than residential law school. As seen in the programs above, total program costs range from around $30,000 to over $180,000. Even among ABA-accredited programs, online options may carry lower tuition than comparable on-campus programs at the same institution. Use GetEducated’s directory of online law degrees to compare options by price.

Start Your Legal Career at One of These Top Online Law Schools

Law school has always required sacrifice, but it no longer has to mean putting your entire life on hold. Whether you are looking for the most affordable path to the California Bar or an ABA-accredited hybrid JD that fits around your career, there is likely an online program in this list for you. Review the schools above, check your state’s bar eligibility requirements, and take the next step with confidence. If you want to dig deeper, GetEducated’s guide on how to become a lawyer is a solid place to start.