Legal Support Services at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
dtcc.eduAnalysis
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
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,965 | $40,429* | — | $19,500* | — | |
| $4,920 | $50,681* | — | $17,629* | 0.35 | |
| $51,716 | $48,819* | — | $35,000* | 0.72 | |
| $5,050 | $48,599* | $52,694 | —* | — | |
| $4,669 | $45,880* | — | $23,471* | 0.51 | |
| $4,494 | $45,094* | — | —* | — | |
| 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 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.