Legal Professions and Studies at Bellevue University

Bellevue University charges slightly more than typical for its legal studies program, but graduates are earning over $5,000 above the national median—landing in the 95th percentile nationally. The $30,148 in median debt translates to a manageable 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio, well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. With only three Nebraska schools offering this program and Bellevue's graduates earning at the state median, this represents one of the more solid options for students who want to stay in-state while preparing for paralegal work or law school.

The 60th percentile state ranking matters less than it might elsewhere since Nebraska has just three programs total, making direct state comparisons less meaningful. What's more telling is how far above the national median these graduates land—about 14% higher than typical. For a program serving a meaningful number of first-generation students (29% receive Pell grants), these outcomes suggest the debt premium buys genuine earnings advantage rather than just a credential.

The practical takeaway: if your child is interested in the legal field and plans to stay in the Midwest, this program delivers competitive earnings with debt that's actually below the national median for legal studies degrees. The numbers work, especially compared to most bachelor's-level legal programs nationwide.