Analysis
California's legal support programs typically produce first-year earnings around $42,000, which is where peer programs suggest this associate's degree lands. That puts it solidly in the middle of comparable California programs—below MTI College's $47,535 but well above the national median of $34,421. For students entering paralegal or legal assistant roles in Bakersfield's legal market, this represents realistic entry-level compensation.
The estimated debt of $27,876 tells a different story. While comparable programs nationally carry similar debt loads, California's state median sits at just $14,353—meaning this program's estimated borrowing is nearly double what students at other California legal support programs typically take on. With half of students receiving Pell grants, that higher debt burden matters considerably for families without financial cushion. The 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming on its own, but it assumes graduates secure full-time legal support positions immediately.
For families weighing this investment, the question centers on cost control. If California Aeronautical can bring actual debt closer to the state median through scholarships or accelerated completion, the math improves substantially. If not, community colleges across California offer similar legal support credentials at dramatically lower cost, and those programs are feeding the same regional job markets with comparable outcomes.
Where California Aeronautical University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in California (63 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 California Aeronautical UniversityBakersfield | $35,465 | $41,695* | — | $27,876* | — |
 MTI CollegeSacramento | — | $47,535* | $48,502 | $13,758* | 0.29 |
 South Coast CollegeOrange | $13,409 | $44,536* | $48,586 | —* | — |
 Fremont UniversityCerritos | — | $38,854* | $39,533 | $21,312* | 0.55 |
 Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnut | $1,364 | $29,569* | $34,315 | $14,353* | 0.49 |
| National Median | — | $34,421* | — | $25,166* | 0.73 |
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 California Aeronautical University, approximately 50% 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 median of 4 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.