Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 suggests manageable repayment for this certificate program, though that picture comes with significant uncertainty. Both the earnings figure of $40,429 and the debt estimate of $19,500 are derived from peer programs nationally—the actual outcomes at Fort Peck Community College remain unknown due to small graduate cohorts. What we can say is that nationally, legal support programs at this credential level cluster tightly around these numbers, with the top performers reaching about $44,000 in first-year earnings.
The real challenge here isn't the financial math but the lack of program-specific data in Montana. With only two schools offering this certificate statewide and neither reporting outcomes, parents are essentially betting on whether Fort Peck's curriculum and placement support match what's typical elsewhere. Legal support roles exist in Montana's court systems and law offices, but the rural location means fewer local opportunities compared to programs near urban legal markets.
If your child is committed to staying in northeastern Montana and Fort Peck offers strong local connections, this could work—the estimated debt load won't be crushing either way. But recognize you're making this decision almost entirely blind to how this specific program actually performs for graduates.
Where Fort Peck Community College 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Fort Peck Community CollegePoplar | $2,250 | $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 |
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 Fort Peck Community College, approximately 21% 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.