Legal Support Services at Minnesota State College Southeast
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
southeastmn.eduAnalysis
Minnesota's legal support services certificate programs cluster tightly around $44,000 in first-year earnings, and estimates suggest Minnesota State College Southeast lands right at this mark. With an estimated debt load of $19,500—meaningfully lower than the $26,500 state median—this program appears positioned to deliver solid value in a field with steady administrative demand.
The estimated 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio indicates a half-year's salary in debt, which typically represents manageable repayment for those entering stable paralegal or legal assistant roles. Peer programs across Minnesota show fairly consistent outcomes, with the top program at North Hennepin earning just $5,000 more annually—a narrow spread that suggests the credential itself matters more than the specific institution. The national picture reinforces this: Minnesota programs collectively outperform the $40,400 national median.
The practical consideration here is that legal support roles require precision and local market connections more than prestige credentials. If your child can keep living costs low in Winona and graduate near this debt estimate, the math works for entry into a profession with clear career ladders. However, since these figures are drawn from peer programs rather than verified outcomes from this specific campus, confirm the school's placement relationships with local law firms and courts before committing.
Where Minnesota State College Southeast Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Legal Support Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (15 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7,820 | $43,918* | — | $19,500* | — | |
| $5,050 | $48,599* | $52,694 | —* | — | |
| $48,311 | $43,918* | $55,062 | $24,250* | 0.55 | |
| $10,899 | $40,492* | — | $28,796* | 0.71 | |
| 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 Minnesota State College Southeast, approximately 22% 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 3 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.