Analysis
Portland Community College's Legal Support Services program outperforms the national median by over $8,000 annually—earning graduates at the 85th percentile compared to paralegals nationwide. However, Oregon students face limited alternatives: this is one of just six programs statewide, and it sits at the 60th percentile among them. The $23,250 debt load is modest, translating to a manageable 0.55 ratio against first-year earnings of $42,463.
The trajectory here matters more than the starting salary. Graduates see 24% earnings growth by year four, reaching $52,633—a meaningful jump that suggests growing professional value rather than credential inflation. This pattern aligns with the paralegal career path, where experience and specialization typically command higher compensation.
For families weighing community college options, this program delivers practical value: lower debt than most legal support programs nationally, earnings that beat three-quarters of competing schools, and a credential that opens doors in Portland's legal market. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reliable data without statistical noise. If your student thrives in structured environments and wants stable work without a four-year commitment, this represents a solid return on a two-year investment.
Where Portland Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Portland Community 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland Community College | $42,463 | $52,633 | +24% |
| South Coast College | $44,536 | $48,586 | +9% |
| MTI College | $47,535 | $48,502 | +2% |
| Inver Hills Community College | $49,694 | $46,860 | -6% |
| College of Southern Nevada | $28,803 | $45,975 | +60% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Legal Support Services associates's programs at top institutions nationally
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Portland Community CollegePortland | $5,040 | $42,463 | $52,633 | $23,250 | 0.55 |
 Inver Hills Community CollegeInver Grove Heights | $6,007 | $49,694 | $46,860 | $24,521 | 0.49 |
 Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny | $5,550 | $49,137 | — | $12,250 | 0.25 |
 North Hennepin Community CollegeBrooklyn Park | $5,050 | $48,960 | $42,281 | $18,625 | 0.38 |
 MTI CollegeSacramento | — | $47,535 | $48,502 | $13,758 | 0.29 |
 Palm Beach State CollegeLake Worth | $3,050 | $46,622 | $44,916 | $9,000 | 0.19 |
| National Median | — | $34,421 | — | $25,166 | 0.73 |
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 Portland Community College, approximately 31% 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 62 graduates with reported earnings and 71 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.