Legal Support Services at Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga

Graduates from Miller-Motte's paralegal program face a challenging financial reality: first-year earnings of $27,479 barely cover the $30,263 in typical student debt, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that exceeds income. While the program performs middling within Tennessee—ranking at the 40th percentile statewide—it falls to just the 10th percentile nationally, suggesting students could find stronger options even within their own state. Chattanooga State Community College, for instance, produces graduates earning $2,900 more annually right from the start.

The 23% earnings growth over four years provides some optimism, lifting graduates to nearly $34,000 by year four. However, that still leaves them playing catch-up on debt for years. With 85% of students receiving Pell grants, this is a population that can least afford to start their careers with above-average debt loads paired with below-average earnings potential. The program also carries notably higher debt than the national median for legal support programs.

For families considering paralegal training in Tennessee, the local community college option appears to offer better value from day one. Unless Miller-Motte provides specific career placement advantages not reflected in the earnings data, families should carefully compare total costs and outcomes before committing to this program.