Legal Support Services at Bryant & Stratton College-Online

With a sample size under 30 graduates, these numbers require careful interpretation, but the pattern suggests this online program serves a specific niche in New York's legal support market. Graduates earn $36,398—exactly matching the state median but falling about $4,000 below national norms. However, that 60th percentile ranking among New York programs tells a more nuanced story: this online certificate performs better than most comparable in-state options, likely because New York's legal support salaries trend lower than the national average overall.

The debt picture presents the real concern. At $18,335, borrowers are taking on more than most peers in this field (75th percentile nationally), though still manageable at a 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio. For a certificate program serving predominantly Pell-eligible students (75% of the institution), this debt level means graduates will owe roughly half their first year's salary—workable but not exceptional value. Compare this to simply entering the legal support field without credentials, where on-the-job training might achieve similar outcomes with zero debt.

For families weighing this program, the central question is whether the credential accelerates entry into legal secretary or paralegal roles enough to justify $18,000 in debt. If your child can access one of New York's stronger programs like Marist or Hofstra, the higher earnings justify the effort. Otherwise, this represents a middle-of-the-pack option that's neither remarkable nor problematic.