Legal Support Services at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College
Associate's Degree
ccc.edu/colleges/wright/pages/default.aspxAnalysis
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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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,380 | $42,994* | — | $14,947* | — | |
| $12,700 | $43,061* | — | $24,750* | 0.57 | |
| $3,870 | $42,994* | $40,683 | $14,348* | 0.33 | |
| $13,546 | $34,421* | $37,112 | $27,876* | 0.81 | |
| 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 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.