Legal Support Services at Nassau Community College

Nassau Community College's Legal Support Services program stands out in New York for one compelling reason: graduates leave with just $9,000 in debt while their peers across the state typically owe $25,524. That's less than half the typical burden, and at 60th percentile for earnings among New York programs, these graduates aren't sacrificing income for that affordability. Within four years, median earnings climb to $43,568—a 34% increase that suggests steady career progression in the legal field.

The modest first-year salary of $32,464 trails the national median slightly, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 means graduates can realistically pay off their loans within months rather than years. Compare that to the national picture, where legal support graduates typically face debt equivalent to 73% of their first-year earnings. This program essentially removes the financial anxiety from the equation.

One important caveat: these figures come from a small graduating class, so individual outcomes may vary more than usual. Still, for a Long Island family weighing community college options, Nassau delivers exactly what associate degree programs should—practical training without the debt trap. Your child can enter the workforce quickly, earn a livable wage, and actually keep most of what they make.