Median Earnings (1yr)
$27,479
10th percentile
60th percentile in North Carolina
Median Debt
$30,263
20% above national median

Analysis

Miller-Motte College-Fayetteville's legal support program sits at an interesting crossroads: it ranks solidly middle-of-the-pack within North Carolina (60th percentile statewide) but falls in the bottom 10% nationally. The first-year earnings of $27,479 match the state median exactly, suggesting this reflects North Carolina's legal support market more than any particular program weakness. However, graduates carry $30,263 in debt—higher than both the national median ($25,166) and roughly equivalent to a full year's salary, which creates financial pressure during those critical early-career years.

The 23% earnings growth to $33,880 by year four offers some relief, bringing graduates closer to national norms. But it's worth noting that even with this growth, they're still earning about $6,000 less than peers who chose Central Piedmont Community College, just one county over. For a family considering this program, the question becomes whether the convenience or specific offerings at Miller-Motte justify both the higher debt load and the opportunity cost compared to nearby alternatives.

If your child is committed to legal support work in the Fayetteville area and this school offers the most practical pathway, the numbers suggest employability isn't the issue—graduates are finding work at market rates. The concern is whether taking on above-average debt for average earnings makes sense when lower-cost community college options exist in North Carolina.

Where Miller-Motte College-Fayetteville Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Miller-Motte College-Fayetteville graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Miller-Motte College-Fayetteville$27,479$33,880+23%
Portland Community College$42,463$52,633+24%
South Coast College$44,536$48,586+9%
Central Piedmont Community College$35,314$40,851+16%
Miller-Motte College-Raleigh$27,479$33,880+23%

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (28 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Miller-Motte College-FayettevilleFayetteville$27,479$33,880$30,2631.10
Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte$2,792$35,314$40,851
Miller-Motte College-RaleighRaleigh$27,479$33,880$30,2631.10
National Median$34,421$25,1660.73

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with legal support services graduates

Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners

Use verbatim methods and equipment to capture, store, retrieve, and transcribe pretrial and trial proceedings or other information. Includes stenocaptioners who operate computerized stenographic captioning equipment to provide captions of live or prerecorded broadcasts for hearing-impaired viewers.

$67,310/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

$61,010/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Interpreters and Translators

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

$59,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.

$47,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

Legal Support Workers, All Other

All legal support workers not listed separately.

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-Fayetteville, approximately 48% 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.