Analysis
Based on comparable programs in Wisconsin, graduates can expect starting earnings around $40,000—a figure that places this program at the state median and the 75th percentile nationally. The estimated debt load of roughly $15,000 is notably lower than both the Wisconsin median ($31,441) and the national median ($25,166) for legal support services programs, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37. That means graduates would owe less than five months' salary, well within the range most financial advisors consider sustainable.
The caveat here is that these are estimates drawn from peer programs, not actual outcomes for Blackhawk Technical College graduates. However, the consistency across Wisconsin's legal support programs—where multiple schools cluster around the $40,000 mark—suggests reasonable stability in this credential's market value. What makes this potentially attractive is the combination: if the debt estimate holds, you're looking at community college pricing for outcomes that match more expensive private institutions in the state.
For parents weighing this investment, the math works if your student can complete the program near that $15,000 debt figure. Legal support roles offer defined career paths with predictable entry points, and the debt burden appears light enough that a graduate earning $40,000 could manage payments without derailing other financial goals. Just verify actual completion costs with Blackhawk's financial aid office—the real debt figure is what matters most here.
Where Blackhawk Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (14 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,170 | $39,952* | — | $14,947* | — | |
| $13,420 | $39,952* | $36,486 | $31,441* | 0.79 | |
| $13,420 | $39,952* | $36,486 | $31,441* | 0.79 | |
| $13,420 | $39,952* | $36,486 | $31,441* | 0.79 | |
| $11,982 | $34,421* | $37,112 | $27,876* | 0.81 | |
| $19,944 | $30,998* | $34,535 | $25,524* | 0.82 | |
| National Median | — | $34,421* | — | $25,166* | 0.73 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with legal support services graduates
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Interpreters and Translators
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
Legal Support Workers, All Other
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 Blackhawk Technical College, approximately 36% 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 5 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.