Est. Earnings (1yr)
$40,429
Est. from national median (41 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$19,500
Est. from national median (15 programs)

Analysis

This certificate's estimated numbers tell a relatively straightforward story: roughly $19,500 in debt leading to first-year earnings around $40,400. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 means the typical graduate would owe about half their first year's salary—manageable territory for a credential that can be completed quickly.

What's worth noting is how peer programs in Kansas perform. Similar legal support certificates at Johnson County Community College and Rasmussen University show reported earnings of $44,921 and $40,492 respectively, suggesting Kansas employers do pay for these skills. The state median for this credential sits at $42,706, slightly above what comparable programs nationally produce. That's a decent sign for Kansas-based legal support work, though without actual outcomes from Hutchinson specifically, it's hard to know whether this program connects students to the better-paying opportunities or the lower end of the range.

The debt estimate comes from similar community college certificates at Hutchinson rather than legal support programs specifically, adding another layer of uncertainty. If your child can complete this quickly and enter the workforce with debt near that $19,500 mark, the math works—but confirm the actual program cost and typical completion time before committing. Look closely at where Hutchinson's legal support graduates actually find employment and whether those placements justify choosing this program over the alternatives with proven track records.

Where Hutchinson Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas

Legal Support Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (6 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Hutchinson Community CollegeHutchinson$3,420$40,429*$19,500*
Johnson County Community CollegeOverland Park$2,328$44,921*$40,657$19,367*0.43
Rasmussen University-KansasTopeka$15,340$40,492*$28,796*0.71
National Median$40,429*$20,834*0.52
* Estimated from similar programs

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 Hutchinson Community College, approximately 24% 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.