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

Analysis

Based on comparable legal support programs nationwide, this certificate appears positioned in a workable range for community college credentials. Similar programs typically produce first-year earnings around $40,400, with debt loads near $19,500—a ratio that translates to roughly six months of gross income. That's manageable territory for a credential designed to get graduates working quickly as paralegals or legal assistants.

The challenge is that Delaware has only one school offering this certificate, so there's no local comparison data to gauge whether Delaware Technical's version delivers on par with state market expectations. The estimated figures come from national medians across dozens of programs, which means actual outcomes could vary. Legal support roles in Delaware's court system and law firms might pay differently than the national average suggests, and the actual debt students incur could be higher or lower depending on financial aid packages and completion time.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 suggests the credential shouldn't create a crushing burden if those figures hold true. But recognize you're working with broader industry estimates rather than this school's track record. Before committing, nail down what Delaware Technical's graduates actually earn in their first jobs and what students typically owe upon completion—the admissions office should have placement data even if federal reporting doesn't capture it.

Where Delaware Technical Community College-Terry 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

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Delaware Technical Community College-TerryDover$4,965$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 Delaware Technical Community College-Terry, approximately 38% 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.