Analysis
Similar legal support programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $40,400, while debt from comparable certificate programs at Mount Aloysius typically runs about $18,300. That works out to roughly 5.4 months of gross income needed to cover the debt—a manageable burden compared to many other credentials. The challenge is that paralegals and legal assistants in Pennsylvania earn median salaries in the low-to-mid $40,000s, meaning this program appears to launch graduates near their field's typical pay ceiling rather than at an entry point with substantial upward trajectory.
The debt level itself is reasonable for what you're getting: a focused credential designed to get someone job-ready quickly. But peer programs suggest the financial equation stays fairly flat. If your child already has strong organizational skills and interest in law, this could be a practical stepping stone into steady employment. However, the compressed timeline between entry wages and career earnings in this field means there's limited room for the credential to pay increasing dividends over time.
Bottom line: This looks like a sensible choice for someone who values stability and a clear path to employment over high earnings growth, but only if they're genuinely committed to legal support work. The debt won't bury them, but the salary probably won't dramatically exceed what these estimates suggest either.
Where Mount Aloysius College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Legal Support Services certificate's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mount Aloysius CollegeCresson | $26,156 | $40,429* | — | $18,335* | — |
 Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma | $4,920 | $50,681* | — | $17,629* | 0.35 |
 Loyola University ChicagoChicago | $51,716 | $48,819* | — | $35,000* | 0.72 |
 North Hennepin Community CollegeBrooklyn Park | $5,050 | $48,599* | $52,694 | —* | — |
 Edmonds CollegeLynnwood | $4,669 | $45,880* | — | $23,471* | 0.51 |
 College of Lake CountyGrayslake | $4,494 | $45,094* | — | —* | — |
| 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 Mount Aloysius College, approximately 16% 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 national median of 41 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.