Analysis
Miller-Motte College-Charleston's paralegal program carries significant financial risk. Students graduate with over $30,000 in debt—more than 94% of similar programs nationwide—to earn just $27,479 in their first year. That's a debt burden exceeding their annual salary, a threshold that typically signals trouble making loan payments. While earnings do improve to nearly $34,000 by year four, graduates start far behind: this program ranks in just the 10th percentile nationally for early earnings.
The South Carolina comparison offers mixed news. Though this program sits at the 40th percentile within the state, that reflects how weak paralegal earnings are across SC generally. The state median of $29,562 is itself well below the national average of $34,421. More concerning: nearby Greenville Technical College graduates earn $39,026 with similar debt levels, while Midlands Technical College produces $37,615 earners. Both schools demonstrate that stronger outcomes are achievable without leaving the state.
The bottom line: your child would be taking on private-school debt for below-average earnings in an already-modest-paying field. If they're set on paralegal work in South Carolina, the technical colleges offer substantially better value. If considering Miller-Motte, make absolutely certain the debt load won't exceed what federal loans alone would provide—private loans at these earnings levels can become unmanageable quickly.
Where Miller-Motte College-Charleston Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Miller-Motte College-Charleston graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miller-Motte College-Charleston | $27,479 | $33,880 | +23% |
| Midlands Technical College | $37,615 | $38,998 | +4% |
| Greenville Technical College | $39,026 | $37,947 | -3% |
| South University-Columbia | $31,126 | $36,422 | +17% |
| Miller-Motte College-Conway | $27,479 | $33,880 | +23% |
Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina
Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (13 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Miller-Motte College-CharlestonCharleston | — | $27,479 | $33,880 | $30,263 | 1.10 |
 Greenville Technical CollegeGreenville | $5,639 | $39,026 | $37,947 | $18,500 | 0.47 |
 Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia | $4,788 | $37,615 | $38,998 | $21,320 | 0.57 |
 South University-ColumbiaColumbia | $18,238 | $31,126 | $36,422 | $30,306 | 0.97 |
 York Technical CollegeRock Hill | $5,512 | $27,997 | — | $10,647 | 0.38 |
| Miller-Motte College-ConwayConway | — | $27,479 | $33,880 | $30,263 | 1.10 |
| National Median | — | $34,421 | — | $25,166 | 0.73 |
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 Miller-Motte College-Charleston, approximately 38% 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.