Est. Earnings (1yr)
$40,429
Est. from national median (41 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$18,335
Est. from national median (11 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable legal support programs nationwide, Bay Path's certificate suggests an estimated first-year salary around $40,400 against roughly $18,300 in debt—a 0.45 ratio that puts monthly loan payments at about $200 on a standard ten-year plan. That's manageable math for an entry-level paralegal or legal assistant position, though it's worth noting this falls right at the national median for these programs rather than toward the higher end where some reach $43,900.

The more significant consideration is what you're getting for a certificate versus other pathways into legal support work. With two-thirds of Bay Path students receiving Pell grants, the school clearly serves students who need credentials to open doors. But legal support is one field where employers often hire based on skills and office experience rather than formal credentials alone, and some community colleges offer similar training at lower cost. The relatively modest debt estimate here—about $2,500 below the national median for these programs—does suggest Bay Path is pricing competitively.

For a student already in the Longmeadow area or connected to Bay Path's network of legal employers, this represents reasonable preparation for administrative legal work. The estimated numbers suggest you'd start earning enough to handle the debt without crisis. Just recognize these are projections based on peer programs nationally, not tracked outcomes from Bay Path graduates specifically, so actual results could vary based on local market conditions and individual circumstances.

Where Bay Path University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Legal Support Services certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Bay Path UniversityLongmeadow$37,227$40,429*$18,335*
Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma$4,920$50,681*$17,629*0.35
Loyola University ChicagoChicago$51,716$48,819*$35,000*0.72
North Hennepin Community CollegeBrooklyn Park$5,050$48,599*$52,694*
Edmonds CollegeLynnwood$4,669$45,880*$23,471*0.51
College of Lake CountyGrayslake$4,494$45,094**
National Median$40,429*$20,834*0.52
* 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 Bay Path University, approximately 66% 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 41 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.