Analysis
A certificate in legal support services carries an estimated $19,500 in debt at Lewis-Clark State College—a relatively manageable burden compared to many credential programs. The national benchmark of $20,834 suggests this figure is typical for the field, and when paired with first-year earnings around $40,000 based on peer programs nationwide, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 falls into reasonable territory. This means graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary, which most financial advisors consider sustainable.
The challenge is context: Idaho has only two schools offering this credential, making it difficult to gauge how Lewis-Clark State's specific program performs against local competitors. Legal support roles—paralegals, legal assistants, court clerks—exist in Idaho's legal market, but the state's smaller population means fewer opportunities than in metropolitan areas. Comparable programs nationally cluster tightly around $40,000 in starting pay, suggesting limited salary growth potential in early career years. For students planning to stay in Lewiston or other Idaho communities, local legal market conditions will matter more than national averages.
The math works if your child can secure employment quickly after completing the certificate and doesn't need to relocate for opportunities. But with no actual outcomes data from Lewis-Clark State specifically, you're betting on whether their program delivers similar results to the national average. If debt can be kept below $20,000 and job placement is strong, this represents a low-cost entry into legal services work.
Where Lewis-Clark State College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Legal Support Services certificate's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Lewis-Clark State CollegeLewiston | $7,388 | $40,429* | — | $19,500* | — |
 Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma | $4,920 | $50,681* | — | $17,629* | 0.35 |
 Loyola University ChicagoChicago | $51,716 | $48,819* | — | $35,000* | 0.72 |
 North Hennepin Community CollegeBrooklyn Park | $5,050 | $48,599* | $52,694 | —* | — |
 Edmonds CollegeLynnwood | $4,669 | $45,880* | — | $23,471* | 0.51 |
 College of Lake CountyGrayslake | $4,494 | $45,094* | — | —* | — |
| National Median | — | $40,429* | — | $20,834* | 0.52 |
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 Lewis-Clark State 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.