Legal Support Services at Clayton State University

Clayton State's legal support services certificate lands graduates in a financially precarious position during their first year, with earnings of $34,447 falling far below the national median of $40,429 and barely exceeding the debt load of $32,620. The nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates are starting with a burden that will take real discipline to manage on an entry-level paralegal salary.

The good news is the 31% earnings growth over four years, which lifts median pay to $44,964—a meaningful improvement that suggests career advancement is possible. What's puzzling is the state context: this program ranks at the 60th percentile among Georgia's 11 legal support programs, yet it still underperforms the national median. That indicates Georgia's legal support job market may be weaker overall, with lower starting salaries across the board. The state median matches Clayton State's exactly, suggesting this is simply the reality of the local market rather than a program-specific weakness.

For an anxious parent, the concern is straightforward: your child will graduate owing nearly a full year's salary and will need that four-year earnings bump to reach financial stability. If they're committed to staying in Georgia and working in legal support, this program delivers typical outcomes for the state. But students who can relocate to stronger legal markets after graduation—where national earnings run $6,000 higher—will likely recoup their investment faster.