Legal Support Services at Bryant & Stratton College-Albany

Bryant & Stratton's Albany campus sits right at the median for New York legal support programs—matching the state's $30,998 first-year earnings—but that's actually a warning sign. While the program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, New York's legal support market appears weaker than national norms. Graduates here earn nearly $3,500 less than the national median for this degree, placing them in just the 25th percentile nationally. CUNY LaGuardia, less than three hours away, produces graduates earning $5,300 more annually.

The debt burden of $25,524 translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82—manageable but not ideal given the modest starting salary. With 65% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on this degree to deliver economic mobility. The 11% earnings growth over four years helps, pushing median income to $34,535, but that's still barely keeping pace with the national median for *first-year* earners in this field.

For families considering this program, the question isn't whether it's affordable—the debt level is reasonable—but whether it launches graduates into viable careers. The Albany program works if your child wants to stay local and understands the salary ceiling, but CUNY LaGuardia offers stronger earning potential at likely lower in-state tuition.