Est. Earnings (1yr)
$40,429
Est. from national median (41 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$19,500
Est. from national median (15 programs)

Analysis

A certificate in legal support from Casper College carries an estimated debt load of $19,500—slightly below the national median for these programs—while comparable programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $40,400. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 sits in reasonable territory for a short-term credential, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first year's salary. However, the limited graduate sample here means we're working with estimates drawn from peer programs rather than Casper's actual outcomes, which creates real uncertainty about whether this specific program delivers those typical results.

The paralegal field offers steady employment in Wyoming's smaller legal markets, but earning potential often depends heavily on local demand and whether graduates land positions with established law firms versus smaller practices or government offices. The relatively modest debt burden gives graduates some breathing room if starting salaries come in below the national estimate, which is a real possibility in Wyoming's economy. With only two schools in the state offering this credential, competition for seats may be limited, but so are the job markets outside of Cheyenne and Casper.

The practical question is whether your student has connections to Wyoming's legal community or a clear path to employment post-graduation. The estimated numbers suggest manageable debt if the job materializes, but without actual outcome data from Casper's program, you're essentially betting on the school matching what similar programs produce elsewhere—not a given for a credential with suppressed data.

Where Casper College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Legal Support Services certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Casper CollegeCasper$4,410$40,429*$19,500*
Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma$4,920$50,681*$17,629*0.35
Loyola University ChicagoChicago$51,716$48,819*$35,000*0.72
North Hennepin Community CollegeBrooklyn Park$5,050$48,599*$52,694*
Edmonds CollegeLynnwood$4,669$45,880*$23,471*0.51
College of Lake CountyGrayslake$4,494$45,094**
National Median$40,429*$20,834*0.52
* 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 Casper College, approximately 23% 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 41 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.