An online JD degree is the most convenient way to gain the skills needed to become a lawyer. By pursuing an online JD program, students will participate in a curriculum designed to prepare students with the knowledge needed to sit for and pass a bar examination. Typically, these types of programs require students to enroll on-campus. However, an online JD program allows students to earn this incredibly lucrative degree while still gaining the benefits of an online degree.
Top Online JD Degree Programs: Methodology
We have compiled a list of the top programs available for students who want to pursue one of the top online JD programs. These programs have been selected for this ranking based upon a scoring system that considers the cost of tuition and the length of the program. These programs have been accredited by nationally recognized accreditation boards and have had their nonprofit status verified. The finalists are ordered from highest to lowest scores. Note that tuition rates listed below are based on cost per credit, and individual programs may have additional fees.
Featured Programs
Ranking the Best Online JD Programs
#1. University of Dayton
Online Hybrid Juris Doctor
Dayton, Ohio
Students at the University of Dayton can enroll in the school’s Online Hybrid Juris Doctor degree. Accredited by the American Bar Association, this is one of the few online JD programs that will prepare students to sit for the bar exam. While this program is not entirely online, most of the coursework is offered to students in a virtual format. Students are required to visit the campus for some face-to-face sessions throughout the program. Through this degree program, students will develop a mastery of law topics such as civil procedure, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, and more. The University of Dayton has received accreditation for this program from the Higher Learning Commission.
Tuition: $108,000
Score: 100
#2. University of New Hampshire
Online Hybrid Juris Doctor
Manchester, New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire offers students this Online Hybrid Juris Doctor degree. This JD online program is made available to students primarily online, with some program components requiring visits to the University of New Hampshire campus. This program has been approved by the American Bar Association and will prepare students to sit for the bar exam upon completion. This particular online JD program focuses primarily on intellectual property, technology, and information law. The University of New Hampshire has received accreditation for this program from the New England Commission on Higher Education. By completing this degree, students will have the skills needed to sit for the bar exam and become lawyers. The vast majority of this program is online, save for two periods of on-campus learning that last a week each semester.
Tuition: $108,000
Score: 99.75
#3. Loyola University
Weekend Juris Doctor
Chicago, Illinois
This Weekend Juris Doctor is offered to students at Loyola University. This program is designed to be completed partially online but does require students to visit the Loyola University campus every other weekend. While this is maybe more campus visits than some of the other JD online programs on this list, this Weekend Juris Doctor does offer quite a bit of its coursework to students online. Students who complete this program will be able to sit for the bar exam as the American Bar Association approves it. The Higher Learning Commission has provided Loyola University with accreditation for this degree program. This program is designed to be completed in about four years.
Tuition: $120,080
Score: 99.5
#4. Syracuse University
Online Juris Doctor
Syracuse, New York
Students at Syracuse University can enroll in this Online Juris Doctor degree. Approved by the American Bar Association, this online JD program will provide students with the knowledge needed to sit for the bar examination. Syracuse University has designed this program to be completed in just three years and three months. Syracuse University has received accreditation for this degree program from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The vast majority of the coursework in this JD online program is made available to students entirely online. However, some aspects of the course do require students to visit the Syracuse University campus to complete.
Tuition: $138,600
Score: 99.25
#5. Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Blended Juris Doctor
St. Paul, Minnesota
Students at Mitchell Hamline School of Law can enroll in this Blended Juris Doctor program. Mitchell Hamline School of Law has designed this program to be completed in four years. The first two years of the program follow a 1/3 online to 2/3 in-person split. The second half of the program gives students complete flexibility over whether or not the rest of the coursework is entirely online or in-person. The American Bar Association has approved this program, and students who complete it can sit for the bar exam. This program has also been designed to be compliant with the bar examinations in all fifty states.
Tuition: $155,880
Score: 99
#6. University of Denver
Professional Part-Time Juris Doctor
Denver, Colorado
The University of Denver currently offers students this Professional Part-Time Juris Doctor degree. This online JD program is designed to allow students to complete a portion of this program entirely online. The American Bar Association has approved the University of Denver’s program, and students who complete it are eligible to sit for the bar examination. The University of Denver has also received accreditation for this program from the Higher Learning Commission. This program maintains one-third of its coursework online. Students must attend eight weekend sessions a semester to complete this program. Typically, this program can be completed in about four years.
Tuition: $157,770
Score: 98.75
#7. Touro University
FlexTime Juris Doctor
California
Offered to students in a flexible format, this FlexTime Juris Doctor from Touro University Worldwide is a great JD program for students who want a primarily online program. To complete this JD online degree, students must attend ten in-person Sunday courses, with the rest of the coursework being made available entirely online. The American Bar Association has approved this program, and students who complete it are eligible to sit for the bar examination. Touro University Worldwide estimates that students will be able to complete this degree in four years. This program has received accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Tuition: $160,160
Score: 98.5
#8. Seton Hall University
Part-time Juris Doctor
South Orange, New Jersey
Students at Seton Hall University can enroll in this Part-Time Juris Doctor program. This program is a great option for students looking for some flexibility when it comes to online coursework. While the program does require many of the courses to be completed on-campus, students can supplement some of those on-campus courses with an online course. About one-quarter of this program can be completed online. The rest of these courses are offered to students on weekends which is a great option for working professionals. Seton Hall University has received accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This program has been approved by the American Bar Association and does provide students with the preparations needed to take the bar examination.
Tuition: $164,544
Score: 98.25
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NPCO Staff
