Analysis
A bachelor's degree in Legal Support Services faces a fundamental math problem when debt approaches $49,000 while peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $37,000. That 1.32 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could be carrying debt equal to 16 months of pre-tax income—a heavy burden for a support role that typically doesn't require a four-year degree. The national benchmark shows most programs in this field produce median debt of just $28,000, suggesting alternative pathways exist that lead to similar outcomes with considerably less financial exposure.
The 57% Pell grant enrollment indicates this program serves many students from lower-income backgrounds, making that debt load particularly concerning. Legal support roles—paralegals, legal assistants, court clerks—offer stable careers, but salaries in these positions grow slowly and don't typically justify bachelor's-level debt loads. Similar programs nationally suggest earnings in the high-$30,000s to low-$40,000s even several years out, meaning the debt could take well over a decade to pay down comfortably.
Before committing to this program, compare it directly to associate degree options in paralegal studies or legal assistant programs, which often produce comparable job prospects at half the debt. If a bachelor's degree is the goal, ensure your child understands they're making a significant financial bet on a field where credentials from less expensive programs typically produce similar career trajectories.
Where Provo College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Legal Support Services bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $16,491 | $36,900* | — | $48,729* | — | |
| $42,666 | $51,445* | $43,076 | $19,619* | 0.38 | |
| $8,689 | $48,269* | $41,745 | $30,708* | 0.64 | |
| $39,708 | $46,661* | $47,122 | $27,000* | 0.58 | |
| $15,060 | $46,406* | $45,401 | $47,341* | 1.02 | |
| $13,570 | $45,549* | $54,323 | $25,258* | 0.55 | |
| National Median | — | $36,900* | — | $27,875* | 0.76 |
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 Provo College, approximately 57% 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 national median of 36 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.