Median Earnings (1yr)
$39,455
73rd percentile
60th percentile in Washington
Median Debt
$15,531
38% below national median

Analysis

Edmonds College graduates in Legal Support Services start at $39,455—solidly above both the Washington state median ($33,492) and the national benchmark ($34,421). At 60th percentile among Washington programs, this puts graduates roughly $6,000 ahead of the typical state outcome. The debt load of $15,531 is also notably manageable, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.39, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than five months of gross earnings.

The caveat here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. However, the fundamentals look sound—legal support roles typically offer stable employment, and the modest debt burden reduces risk even if individual outcomes vary. The earnings advantage over state peers suggests this program is doing something right in either curriculum or employer connections.

For parents weighing community college options in the Seattle area, this represents a low-risk entry point into legal services. The combination of below-average debt and above-average starting pay creates breathing room for graduates to either advance in their careers or pursue further education without being financially constrained. Just remember that the small cohort size means you should verify current placement rates directly with the program.

Where Edmonds College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Edmonds College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Washington

Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Washington (15 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Edmonds CollegeLynnwood$4,669$39,455$15,5310.39
South Puget Sound Community CollegeOlympia$5,103$27,530
National Median$34,421$25,1660.73

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 Edmonds College, approximately 15% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 22 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.