Analysis
For a two-year degree, an estimated debt load of roughly $15,000 keeps this program in manageable territory—about four months of first-year earnings based on what similar Wisconsin legal support programs produce. That's significantly better than the national median debt of $25,000 for this credential, suggesting Milwaukee Area Technical College may offer a more affordable path into paralegal and legal assistant work than many alternatives.
The earnings trajectory here matters for context. While comparable programs in Wisconsin suggest starting pay around $40,000, reported outcomes show graduates at this school reaching nearly $44,000 by year four. That's solid middle-ground performance for an associate's degree, putting graduates at or above the state median for legal support roles. The 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio falls well within reasonable bounds for career-focused technical programs.
With 41% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves many families where affordability is paramount. The estimated figures prevent a definitive assessment, but the combination of below-average debt and steady four-year earnings suggests this could be a practical entry point into Wisconsin's legal field. The key question is whether your child is committed to legal support work specifically—this credential's value depends heavily on landing in that sector rather than adjacent administrative roles.
Where Milwaukee Area Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | — | $43,804 | — |
| Rasmussen University-Wisconsin | $34,421 | $37,112 | +8% |
| Herzing University-Madison | $39,952 | $36,486 | -9% |
| Herzing University-Kenosha | $39,952 | $36,486 | -9% |
| Herzing University-Brookfield | $39,952 | $36,486 | -9% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (14 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,017 | $39,952* | $43,804 | $14,947* | — | |
| $13,420 | $39,952* | $36,486 | $31,441* | 0.79 | |
| $13,420 | $39,952* | $36,486 | $31,441* | 0.79 | |
| $13,420 | $39,952* | $36,486 | $31,441* | 0.79 | |
| $11,982 | $34,421* | $37,112 | $27,876* | 0.81 | |
| $19,944 | $30,998* | $34,535 | $25,524* | 0.82 | |
| 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 Milwaukee Area Technical College, approximately 41% 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 median of 5 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.