Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,900
Est. from national median (36 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$32,701
Est. from national median (6 programs)

Analysis

A bachelor's degree in Legal Support Services carries significant uncertainty at Calumet College of Saint Joseph. With estimated debt around $32,700 and first-year earnings of roughly $36,900 based on national peer programs, the financial picture appears manageable at first glance—about 89 cents of debt per dollar earned. However, Indiana's context tells a more complicated story. Other legal support programs in the state suggest higher earnings potential (around $42,700 at the state median), while this program's debt sits well below the state median of $49,000. That gap raises questions about whether Calumet's graduates actually achieve the higher Indiana earnings typical of the field, or whether they're tracking closer to national outcomes despite being in a relatively strong state market.

The comparison to Indiana's top programs is particularly instructive. IU-Indianapolis and Purdue Global both report actual first-year earnings above $41,000—roughly $4,000-$7,000 more than the national baseline this estimate draws from. If Calumet's outcomes mirror those stronger Indiana programs, the investment looks reasonable for students entering paralegal or legal administrative roles. But if graduates are instead hitting closer to the national median while competing in Indiana's legal job market, that could mean an extended debt payoff period. Given that nearly half of Calumet's students receive Pell grants, families should get concrete placement data directly from the school before committing, particularly regarding where graduates actually work and what they earn in their first positions.

Where Calumet College of Saint Joseph Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Legal Support Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (5 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Calumet College of Saint JosephWhiting$22,650$36,900*$32,701*
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis$10,449$44,070**
Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette$10,110$41,375*$37,589$49,036*1.19
National Median$36,900*$27,875*0.76
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with legal support services graduates

Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners

Use verbatim methods and equipment to capture, store, retrieve, and transcribe pretrial and trial proceedings or other information. Includes stenocaptioners who operate computerized stenographic captioning equipment to provide captions of live or prerecorded broadcasts for hearing-impaired viewers.

$67,310/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

$61,010/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Interpreters and Translators

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

$59,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.

$47,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

Legal Support Workers, All Other

All legal support workers not listed separately.

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 Calumet College of Saint Joseph, approximately 48% 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.