Median Earnings (1yr)
$37,542
64th percentile
60th percentile in Colorado
Est. Median Debt
$27,876
Est. from national median (29 programs)

Analysis

IBMC's legal support services program shows first-year earnings of $37,542—about 10% above the national median for this field and right at Colorado's state average. That's decent positioning for a paralegal-track credential. The catch? Estimated debt of nearly $28,000, which is notably higher than both Colorado's typical $20,750 for this program and the national median. With 81% of students receiving Pell grants, that debt load matters considerably for families already stretching financially.

The stagnant earnings tell a more concerning story. Graduates see essentially zero growth between year one and year four ($37,542 to $37,621), suggesting this field may have limited advancement opportunity without additional credentials. Based on peer programs nationwide, the 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable but not impressive—graduates would need to dedicate roughly 9 months of gross income to clear this debt. For comparison, Colorado programs in this field typically produce lower debt burdens, meaning IBMC students may be paying more for similar labor market outcomes.

The practical calculation: decent starting pay offset by above-market debt and flat earnings trajectory. If your child is already working in legal offices and needs this credential to advance, the immediate $37K salary might justify the investment. But for someone starting fresh, programs with lower debt loads—even at slightly lower initial earnings—could leave graduates in better financial position within a few years.

Where IBMC College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How IBMC College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
IBMC College$37,542$37,621+0%
Portland Community College$42,463$52,633+24%
South Coast College$44,536$48,586+9%
MTI College$47,535$48,502+2%
Inver Hills Community College$49,694$46,860-6%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Legal Support Services associates's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
IBMC CollegeFort Collins$15,320$37,542$37,621$27,876*—
Inver Hills Community CollegeInver Grove Heights$6,007$49,694$46,860$24,521*0.49
Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny$5,550$49,137—$12,250*0.25
North Hennepin Community CollegeBrooklyn Park$5,050$48,960$42,281$18,625*0.38
MTI CollegeSacramento—$47,535$48,502$13,758*0.29
Palm Beach State CollegeLake Worth$3,050$46,622$44,916$9,000*0.19
National Median—$34,421—$25,166*0.73
* 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 IBMC College, approximately 81% 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.