Analysis
A legal support certificate with debt approaching $29,000 deserves scrutiny, especially when comparable programs nationally and across Indiana typically carry substantially less—around $21,000 nationally and just $17,000 in Indiana. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 isn't disastrous, but it's elevated for a certificate program where students should ideally be minimizing borrowing and maximizing speed to employment.
The earnings picture adds a puzzling element. Based on peer programs nationally, first-year wages of $40,429 seem reasonable, tracking closely with what other legal support graduates earn. But then reported earnings four years out actually drop to $33,992—a decline that's unusual and concerning. Whether this reflects career trajectory issues specific to this program's graduates or simply a quirk of small sample reporting is impossible to determine, but it's not the upward progression you'd hope to see.
The comparison with Indiana University-Indianapolis is particularly stark. Their legal support graduates earn over $44,000 annually, suggesting that not all certificate programs in this field produce equivalent outcomes. While College of Court Reporting's specialized focus may offer advantages not captured in wage data alone, your child would be taking on 70% more debt than typical Indiana programs while the earnings trajectory remains uncertain. Unless this school offers specific industry connections or placement advantages that justify the premium, Indiana's other options warrant serious exploration.
Where College of Court Reporting Inc Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Court Reporting Inc | — | $33,992 | — |
| Marist University | $41,431 | $70,394 | +70% |
| Phoenix College | $38,910 | $58,400 | +50% |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | $44,576 | $41,755 | -6% |
| Purdue University Global | $30,224 | $22,001 | -27% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana
Legal Support Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (9 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 College of Court Reporting IncValparaiso | $10,080 | $40,429* | $33,992 | $28,796* | — |
 Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis | $10,449 | $44,576* | $41,755 | $21,963* | 0.49 |
 Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette | $10,110 | $30,224* | $22,001 | $11,642* | 0.39 |
| National Median | — | $40,429* | — | $20,834* | 0.52 |
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 College of Court Reporting Inc, approximately 35% 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.