Analysis
Borrowing $38,746 for a bachelor's in legal support services raises immediate questions when peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $36,900. That debt load sits above the national median of $27,875 for this field, meaning Bryan graduates are likely carrying about $11,000 more debt than typical—a significant premium when starting salaries in paralegal and legal assistant roles remain modest. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.05 means you're looking at owing roughly what you'd earn in your first year, which creates real strain on a legal support professional's budget.
The 75% Pell grant rate tells you this program serves predominantly lower-income students, making that elevated debt burden particularly concerning. Based on comparable programs nationally, even strong performers in this field top out around $42,000 in first-year earnings—not enough of a ceiling to justify the extra debt. Legal support services can lead to stable employment, but the field doesn't typically offer the earnings growth that makes high undergraduate debt manageable.
Given the limited data and debt premium, parents should verify Bryan's specific placement rates and understand exactly what legal employers in the Phoenix area pay entry-level paralegals and legal assistants. Without evidence that this particular program delivers better-than-typical outcomes, the estimated numbers suggest you might find similar career preparation at lower cost elsewhere.
Where Bryan University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Legal Support Services bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bryan UniversityTempe | $12,185 | $36,900* | — | $38,746 | — |
 Roger Williams UniversityBristol | $42,666 | $51,445* | $43,076 | $19,619 | 0.38 |
 SUNY College of Technology at CantonCanton | $8,689 | $48,269* | $41,745 | $30,708 | 0.64 |
 Stevenson UniversityOwings Mills | $39,708 | $46,661* | $47,122 | $27,000 | 0.58 |
 Peirce CollegePhiladelphia | $15,060 | $46,406* | $45,401 | $47,341 | 1.02 |
 University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati | $13,570 | $45,549* | $54,323 | $25,258 | 0.55 |
| National Median | — | $36,900* | — | $27,875 | 0.76 |
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 Bryan University, approximately 75% 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.