Analysis
Phoenix College's legal support certificate stands out for one compelling reason: graduates who start modestly see their earnings jump 50% by year four, reaching $58,400. That trajectory matters more than the below-average starting salary of $38,910, which lands at the 41st percentile nationally but 60th percentile among Arizona programs—suggesting this performs solidly within the state market.
The $18,358 debt load sits higher than typical for this credential (75th percentile nationally), but the 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable, and that ratio improves dramatically as graduates gain experience. Within four years, earnings exceed the debt by more than 3:1. For context, legal support roles often reward on-the-job training and certifications that come with experience, explaining why the four-year mark looks so much stronger than graduation day.
The real question is whether your student can weather those first few years at a lower salary while building the skills that unlock better opportunities. If they're willing to start in entry-level positions and work their way up—or if they already have some legal office experience—this program offers a reasonable path forward. The growth pattern here favors patience and persistence over immediate payoff.
Where Phoenix College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Phoenix College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix College | $38,910 | $58,400 | +50% |
| Marist University | $41,431 | $70,394 | +70% |
| Hofstra University | $39,740 | $55,384 | +39% |
| Hamline University | $43,918 | $55,062 | +25% |
| North Hennepin Community College | $48,599 | $52,694 | +8% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Legal Support Services certificate's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Phoenix CollegePhoenix | $2,358 | $38,910 | $58,400 | $18,358 | 0.47 |
 Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma | $4,920 | $50,681 | — | $17,629 | 0.35 |
 Loyola University ChicagoChicago | $51,716 | $48,819 | — | $35,000 | 0.72 |
 North Hennepin Community CollegeBrooklyn Park | $5,050 | $48,599 | $52,694 | — | — |
 Edmonds CollegeLynnwood | $4,669 | $45,880 | — | $23,471 | 0.51 |
 College of Lake CountyGrayslake | $4,494 | $45,094 | — | — | — |
| National Median | — | $40,429 | — | $20,834 | 0.52 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with legal support services graduates
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Interpreters and Translators
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
Legal Support Workers, All Other
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 Phoenix College, approximately 29% 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 30 graduates with reported earnings and 33 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.