Est. Earnings (1yr)
$41,695
Est. from CA median (4 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$14,947
Est. from national median (42 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs across California, this legal support track appears financially viable—though the true picture at Pasadena City College remains unclear due to limited graduate data. The estimated $14,947 in debt sits well below both the state median ($14,353) and especially the national figure ($25,166), while estimated earnings of $41,695 match California's median for these programs. That creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, meaning the typical graduate could potentially handle their loan burden within a year of employment.

The more sobering reality is how these estimated figures compare to actual outcomes at California schools with reported data. MTI College graduates earn nearly $48,000 in their first year, while South Coast College hits $44,500—both well above what similar programs suggest for Pasadena City College. Even among community colleges, Mt. San Antonio reports actual earnings of $29,569, providing a concrete data point that highlights the range of outcomes within this credential.

For parents considering this investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value, but the lack of actual graduate outcomes makes this a judgment call. The low projected debt load limits downside risk, but you're betting on comparability to other California programs without knowing whether Pasadena City College's specific connections to local law firms or curriculum differences might push results higher or lower. If your child is committed to legal support work and the lower debt load matters more than chasing the highest possible starting salary, this represents a defensible choice—just know you're working with informed guesswork rather than proven results.

Where Pasadena City College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in California (63 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Pasadena City CollegePasadena$1,180$41,695*$14,947*
MTI CollegeSacramento$47,535*$48,502$13,758*0.29
South Coast CollegeOrange$13,409$44,536*$48,586*
Fremont UniversityCerritos$38,854*$39,533$21,312*0.55
Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnut$1,364$29,569*$34,315$14,353*0.49
National Median$34,421*$25,166*0.73
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with legal support services graduates

Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners

Use verbatim methods and equipment to capture, store, retrieve, and transcribe pretrial and trial proceedings or other information. Includes stenocaptioners who operate computerized stenographic captioning equipment to provide captions of live or prerecorded broadcasts for hearing-impaired viewers.

$67,310/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

$61,010/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Interpreters and Translators

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

$59,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.

$47,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

Legal Support Workers, All Other

All legal support workers not listed separately.

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 Pasadena City College, approximately 30% 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 median of 4 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.