Legal Support Services at Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo

Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo's paralegal program tells a story of regional trade-offs. While graduates earn about $4,000 less than the national median for legal support programs, they're actually performing right at New York's median—placing them in the 60th percentile statewide. The explanation? New York's legal support market pays less than many other states, even as cost of living remains high.

The debt picture requires careful consideration. At $25,524, graduates carry nearly 80% of their first-year salary in loans. That's manageable but tight, especially since starting earnings of $31,000 leave little room for aggressive repayment in expensive Buffalo. The 11% earnings growth to $34,535 by year four helps, but even that figure trails the national median for new graduates in this field. With two-thirds of students here receiving Pell grants, many families are already stretching financially.

For New York families committed to staying in-state, this program delivers average results at average cost—you'll find similar outcomes at CUNY LaGuardia or Nassau Community College, though LaGuardia graduates start $5,000 higher. If your student has flexibility to attend school elsewhere, legal support programs in other states often combine lower debt with stronger starting salaries, making the investment equation clearer. The program works for students who need to stay local and are comfortable with a modest income trajectory, but it's worth comparing total costs across New York's community college options first.