Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 suggests reasonable financial footing for this certificate, though the figures here come from peer programs nationally rather than Blinn's actual graduates. With estimated first-year earnings around $40,400 and debt near $19,500, graduates would be looking at manageable monthly payments—roughly 10-12% of gross income under standard repayment plans.
The estimates align closely with what other Texas legal support programs produce. The state's median earnings for these certificates sits at $38,000, while similar programs at Center for Advanced Legal Studies and Lone Star College System show graduates earning in the mid-to-high $30,000s. Nationally, legal support certificates cluster tightly around $40,000, with top programs reaching only $44,000—this isn't a field where prestige dramatically shifts outcomes.
For parents evaluating this path, the key question is whether $19,500 in debt makes sense for launching a legal support career in the Brenham area. The ratio suggests yes, but remember these are national and institutional averages, not tracked outcomes from Blinn's program specifically. If your student has local connections or job leads in law offices, the investment could work. Without those, you're banking on estimates holding true—a reasonable bet given the consistency across similar programs, but still an estimate.
Where Blinn College District Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Legal Support Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (25 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,580 | $40,429* | — | $19,500* | — | |
| — | $39,387* | $41,234 | $14,704* | 0.37 | |
| $3,090 | $36,678* | $38,903 | $17,251* | 0.47 | |
| National Median | — | $40,429* | — | $20,834* | 0.52 |
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 Blinn College District, approximately 20% 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.