Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at Indiana Institute of Technology

A bachelor's in legal studies that leads to estimated first-year earnings around $39,000 sits right at the national median for this credential—which itself is a relatively modest return for four years of college. These programs typically prepare graduates for paralegal work or administrative roles in legal settings, not attorney positions, and the compensation reflects that support-staff reality.

The estimated $27,000 in debt falls slightly above the national median for legal studies programs but well below what the five Indiana schools offering this major typically produce (the state median sits at $57,500). That puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.69—manageable but not comfortable. Graduates would face monthly payments of roughly $300 on a standard repayment plan, consuming a meaningful chunk of take-home pay from a $39,000 salary. The bigger concern is whether this specific credential opens enough doors: many paralegal positions don't require a bachelor's degree at all, and some legal employers prefer candidates with associate's degrees plus certification over four-year generalist programs.

For families weighing this investment, the core question is whether the career path justifies the time and cost. If your child has a clear legal career trajectory and Indiana Tech offers strong regional employer connections, the debt burden appears reasonable compared to peer programs in the state. But without actual outcomes data for this specific program, you're betting that it performs at least as well as similar programs elsewhere—a bet that carries real financial consequences if it doesn't pay off.