Est. Earnings (1yr)
$41,695
Est. from CA median (4 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,876
Est. from national median (29 programs)

Analysis

A debt load approaching $28,000 for an associate's degree in legal support services demands careful scrutiny, particularly when these figures are estimates drawn from comparable programs rather than Abraham Lincoln University's actual graduate outcomes. Similar programs in California suggest first-year earnings around $42,000, which would make the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 manageable in theory—about eight months of gross pay. However, the estimated debt here is nearly double what California's median legal support program reports ($14,353), raising questions about whether this specific pathway offers competitive value.

The earnings estimate aligns with California's state median and sits comfortably above the national benchmark of $34,421, suggesting the legal support field pays reasonably well in the state's job market. Top-performing programs like MTI College show graduates can earn $47,500 or more in their first year, indicating room for variation based on the program's industry connections and curriculum quality. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, affordability matters significantly for Abraham Lincoln's student population.

Without actual outcome data from this institution, you're making an investment decision based on educated guesses rather than proven results. If you're considering this program, insist on speaking with recent graduates directly and understanding why the debt estimate runs so much higher than typical California programs. The field itself shows promise, but the financial profile here suggests looking hard at lower-debt alternatives first.

Where Abraham Lincoln University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in California (63 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Abraham Lincoln UniversityGlendale$10,440$41,695*$27,876*
MTI CollegeSacramento$47,535*$48,502$13,758*0.29
South Coast CollegeOrange$13,409$44,536*$48,586*
Fremont UniversityCerritos$38,854*$39,533$21,312*0.55
Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnut$1,364$29,569*$34,315$14,353*0.49
National Median$34,421*$25,166*0.73
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with legal support services graduates

Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners

Use verbatim methods and equipment to capture, store, retrieve, and transcribe pretrial and trial proceedings or other information. Includes stenocaptioners who operate computerized stenographic captioning equipment to provide captions of live or prerecorded broadcasts for hearing-impaired viewers.

$67,310/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

$61,010/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Interpreters and Translators

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

$59,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.

$47,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

Legal Support Workers, All Other

All legal support workers not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Abraham Lincoln University, approximately 49% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.