Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) at Northern Michigan University

A bachelor's in legal studies that leads to $39,000 in first-year earnings—based on what similar programs produce nationally—leaves little room for error when you're carrying $23,000 in debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 isn't catastrophic, but it means your child would be dedicating a substantial portion of their early income to loan payments while trying to establish themselves professionally.

The concerning part is what these estimated figures reveal about legal studies as a pre-law pathway. In Michigan, comparable programs show median earnings around $34,000, suggesting this field struggles to generate strong returns unless graduates pursue additional credentials. Since this is an undergraduate legal studies degree rather than a JD, your child would be competing for paralegal positions, compliance roles, or administrative work in legal settings—jobs that often don't require this specific credential and may not reward it financially.

Northern Michigan's estimated debt load is actually slightly better than the $25,750 national median for these programs, which is something. But the fundamental question remains: is this degree worth four years and $23,000 when the career outcomes appear modest at best? If law school is the ultimate goal, your child might achieve similar admission results with a less expensive major. If they plan to work with just the bachelor's, they need clarity on what specific jobs this degree opens up that wouldn't be accessible through cheaper routes.