Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,900
Est. from national median (36 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$32,701
Est. from national median (6 programs)

Analysis

A bachelor's degree in legal support services from Baker College comes with an estimated debt burden of $32,700—substantially higher than what comparable programs in Michigan typically require. Legal support bachelor's programs statewide carry a median debt of $24,625, meaning Baker's students may be borrowing roughly $8,000 more for similar preparation. That extra debt matters when first-year earnings hover around $36,900, which puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.89—manageable but not comfortable.

The earnings picture based on peer programs nationwide suggests modest but stable financial outcomes. At roughly $37,000 initially, graduates enter a field where income growth typically comes through experience and specialization rather than dramatic early jumps. Michigan's legal support programs show similar patterns, with schools like Grand Valley producing slightly higher earners but still within a narrow band. The real challenge here isn't the earning potential—it's whether borrowing nearly a full year's salary makes sense when other Michigan programs appear to deliver comparable preparation at lower cost.

For parents weighing this investment, the central question is whether Baker's specific program offers advantages that justify the higher debt load. If your child has strong reasons to attend Baker—location, flexibility, or program structure—the numbers aren't prohibitive. But if comparable options exist nearby at lower cost, those deserve serious consideration given the estimated financial outcomes suggest fairly standardized returns across Michigan's legal support bachelor's programs.

Where Baker College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Legal Support Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (7 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Baker CollegeOwosso$12,810$36,900*—$32,701*—
Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale$14,628$40,778*$47,792$21,500*0.53
Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti$15,510$34,010*——*—
National Median—$36,900*—$27,875*0.76
* 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 Baker College, approximately 38% 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 national median of 36 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.