Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at Mount Aloysius College

A debt load of $27,000 against first-year earnings around $39,000 puts this program roughly in line with what peer legal studies programs produce nationwide—the national median debt for this bachelor's degree is actually $25,750. That 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates would need about eight months of gross income to cover their student loans, which sits in workable territory compared to many undergraduate programs. However, these figures come from similar legal studies programs nationally rather than Mount Aloysius's specific outcomes, so there's inherent uncertainty about how this particular program performs.

The bigger question is whether a general legal studies bachelor's degree opens enough doors to justify the investment. These programs typically don't lead directly to practicing law—that requires law school—and the sub-$40,000 starting salary reflects the reality that many graduates work in paralegal, compliance, or administrative roles. Pennsylvania has limited options for this major (only nine schools offer it), which could mean less regional competition for jobs or could signal that employers don't specifically seek these credentials. The high admission rate and modest test scores at Mount Aloysius suggest the college serves students who need accessible pathways, but that accessibility doesn't automatically translate to strong career outcomes.

If your child is considering this route as preparation for law school, understand they'll need additional investment later. If they're planning to work directly after graduation, the estimated numbers suggest manageable debt but middling earnings potential—careers often advance slowly without further credentials in the legal field.