Analysis
In Illinois, legal support services programs cluster around $43,000 in first-year earnings, and Frontier's estimated outcomes align with this state pattern. The estimated debt load of roughly $15,000 comes in well below what most associate's programs nationally carry—the typical legal support graduate elsewhere faces $25,000 in loans. That 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests a manageable financial start, with less than five months of gross income needed to cover the total borrowed.
The caveat here is that these figures come from peer programs rather than Frontier's actual graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty about what your child would experience specifically. Still, the broader Illinois market for legal support workers appears relatively consistent, with even the larger programs like Southwestern Illinois College reporting nearly identical first-year earnings. The low Pell grant percentage at Frontier (just 8% of students) might suggest a different student profile than typical community colleges, which could indicate less robust financial aid packaging.
For families weighing this path, the estimated numbers point toward a workable investment if your child is committed to paralegal or legal assistant work in Illinois. The debt burden appears light enough to absorb even if actual earnings come in somewhat lower than the state median. Just recognize you're making this decision with limited visibility into Frontier's specific track record in placing graduates.
Where Frontier Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (24 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,390 | $42,994* | — | $14,947* | — | |
| $12,700 | $43,061* | — | $24,750* | 0.57 | |
| $3,870 | $42,994* | $40,683 | $14,348* | 0.33 | |
| $13,546 | $34,421* | $37,112 | $27,876* | 0.81 | |
| National Median | — | $34,421* | — | $25,166* | 0.73 |
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 Frontier Community College, approximately 8% 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 median of 3 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.