Legal Support Services at Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global's legal support certificate starts graduates around $42,000—slightly below the national median but performing decently within Indiana at the 60th percentile. The real concern isn't the earnings themselves, but the debt burden: at nearly $38,000, this certificate leaves graduates with debt levels that exceed what 95% of similar programs nationally require. That's exceptional debt for a post-baccalaureate certificate program.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.90 means graduates face nearly a full year's salary in debt for what's essentially a credential add-on. While earnings do grow 9% over four years to roughly $46,000, that trajectory won't dramatically change the repayment math. For context, the typical legal support certificate nationally carries just $24,600 in debt—$13,000 less than what Purdue Global graduates shoulder. This matters because the position itself doesn't command significantly higher pay to justify the premium.

If your child already holds a bachelor's degree and is considering this route into paralegal work, the debt load makes this a risky investment. Community college paralegal programs or certificates at institutions with lower borrowing requirements would deliver similar career outcomes without the financial burden. The earnings are workable, but not when paired with this much debt for a certificate credential.