Legal Support Services at Northern Virginia Community College
Associate's Degree
Analysis
Northern Virginia Community College's legal support program punches well above its weight, with graduates earning $45,915 one year out—nearly $10,000 more than the Virginia median and $11,000 above the national figure. This ties Liberty University for the highest earnings among Virginia programs, but at roughly half the debt load ($17,427 versus typical debt at private institutions). The location matters here: Northern Virginia's robust legal market, from government contractors to law firms serving the federal government, creates demand that supports these above-average starting salaries.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 means graduates owe less than five months of their first-year salary, a manageable burden that most can pay down within a few years. That said, the sample size is small—fewer than 30 graduates—so individual circumstances vary more than these medians suggest. The program's 95th percentile national ranking is impressive, but could shift with more data.
For families looking at paralegal or legal assistant careers, this program offers a clear path to solid middle-class earnings without the debt burden of a four-year degree. The combination of NOVA's low community college tuition, strong regional job market, and competitive outcomes makes this one of the better value propositions in Virginia legal education—just understand you're looking at limited data that may not reflect every graduate's experience.
Where Northern Virginia Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Northern Virginia Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Northern Virginia Community College graduates earn $46k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all legal support services associates programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia
Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (15 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Virginia Community College | $45,915 | — | $17,427 | 0.38 |
| Liberty University | $45,452 | $37,062 | $30,500 | 0.67 |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | $38,066 | — | $20,250 | 0.53 |
| Tidewater Community College | $33,677 | $34,974 | $14,863 | 0.44 |
| South University-Virginia Beach | $31,126 | $36,422 | $30,306 | 0.97 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | $30,998 | $34,535 | $25,524 | 0.82 |
| National Median | $34,421 | — | $25,166 | 0.73 |
Other Legal Support Services Programs in Virginia
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Virginia schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty University Lynchburg | $21,222 | $45,452 | $30,500 |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond | $5,136 | $38,066 | $20,250 |
| Tidewater Community College Norfolk | $5,714 | $33,677 | $14,863 |
| South University-Virginia Beach Virginia Beach | $18,238 | $31,126 | $30,306 |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach Virginia Beach | $18,457 | $30,998 | $25,524 |
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 Northern Virginia Community College, approximately 20% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 20 graduates with reported earnings and 30 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.