Est. Earnings (1yr)
$42,994
Est. from IL median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$14,947
Est. from national median (42 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable legal support programs in Illinois, this associate degree suggests solid earning potential—estimated first-year earnings of $42,994 land right at the state median and well above the $34,421 national benchmark for this credential. For students entering Chicago's legal market, that income level can support a reasonable standard of living, especially with estimated debt of $14,947 keeping the burden manageable at just 35% of first year earnings.

The debt picture looks particularly favorable compared to national patterns. While legal support programs nationally carry a median debt load exceeding $25,000, similar community college programs suggest Wright College graduates may owe roughly $10,000 less—a meaningful advantage when starting salaries in this field don't vary dramatically between schools. Illinois programs generally perform well in this career track, with peer institutions producing comparable outcomes whether students attend Generations College or Southwestern Illinois College.

The caveat here is uncertainty—these figures reflect what similar programs typically produce, not actual outcomes for Wright College specifically. If your child has a genuine interest in paralegal work and can complete the program near these estimated debt levels, the fundamentals look sound. But confirm the actual costs before enrolling, and recognize that Chicago's higher living expenses may stretch that first-year salary more than it would elsewhere in Illinois.

Where City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (24 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright CollegeChicago$4,380$42,994*—$14,947*—
Generations CollegeChicago$12,700$43,061*—$24,750*0.57
Southwestern Illinois CollegeBelleville$3,870$42,994*$40,683$14,348*0.33
Rasmussen University-IllinoisRockford$13,546$34,421*$37,112$27,876*0.81
National Median—$34,421*—$25,166*0.73
* 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 City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College, approximately 27% 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 3 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.