Legal Support Services at Herzing University-New Orleans

Herzing's paralegal program stands out in Louisiana, placing graduates in the 80th percentile for earnings compared to other in-state options. At nearly $40,000 in first-year earnings, that's about $11,000 more than Louisiana's typical legal support graduate makes—a meaningful gap when you're starting your career. Nationally, this program performs equally well, landing in the 75th percentile. The debt load of $31,441 sits slightly above typical levels but remains manageable at 0.79 times first-year earnings, meaning graduates could theoretically pay it off in under a year of focused repayment.

The concerning element here is the earnings trajectory: graduates see income drop 9% by year four rather than grow. This could reflect graduates moving between firms, shifting to part-time work, or simply the realities of paralegal compensation ceilings in the New Orleans market. The silver lining is that even with this decline, graduates still out-earn their Louisiana peers.

One important caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary considerably. For a family comfortable with moderate debt and focused on breaking into Louisiana's legal field quickly, this program delivers stronger starting earnings than alternatives. Just don't expect steady salary growth in those crucial early years.