Analysis
Based on national patterns, legal support bachelor's programs typically produce first-year earnings around $36,900, with debt loads near $25,000—numbers that Idaho State's graduates would likely mirror. That 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in reasonable territory: your child would owe roughly eight months' salary, manageable with a standard repayment plan consuming about 11% of gross income. The catch? We're working entirely from estimates here because too few students complete this program for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes.
That small cohort size raises a practical question: is there sufficient demand for bachelor's-level paralegals in Idaho to justify four years of study? Many legal support roles require only associate degrees or certificates, and the relatively modest earnings suggest the bachelor's credential may not command a substantial premium in this field. Similar programs nationally cluster tightly around the same salary range, with even top performers reaching only $42,000, indicating a compressed earnings ceiling regardless of degree level.
The bottom line: if your child is set on legal support work, investigate whether Idaho's legal market actually rewards a bachelor's over an associate degree. The estimated debt burden isn't alarming, but you're investing in four years of education for a salary that certificate-holders often achieve. Contact Idaho law firms directly to understand what credentials they seek—local hiring practices matter more than national data when the program is this small.
Where Idaho State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Legal Support Services bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Idaho State UniversityPocatello | $8,356 | $36,900* | — | $25,258* | — |
 Roger Williams UniversityBristol | $42,666 | $51,445* | $43,076 | $19,619* | 0.38 |
 SUNY College of Technology at CantonCanton | $8,689 | $48,269* | $41,745 | $30,708* | 0.64 |
 Stevenson UniversityOwings Mills | $39,708 | $46,661* | $47,122 | $27,000* | 0.58 |
 Peirce CollegePhiladelphia | $15,060 | $46,406* | $45,401 | $47,341* | 1.02 |
 University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati | $13,570 | $45,549* | $54,323 | $25,258* | 0.55 |
| National Median | — | $36,900* | — | $27,875* | 0.76 |
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 Idaho State University, approximately 27% 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 36 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.