Legal Support Services at Roosevelt University

Roosevelt's legal support program operates in a compressed earnings window that deserves scrutiny. Based on comparable programs in Illinois, first-year earnings around $43,000 track closely with the state median, but by year four, earnings have actually declined to $39,890—an unusual backward slide that suggests either job market volatility or career path challenges specific to entry-level legal support roles. For context, the national median for associate's degrees in this field sits at just $34,421, so the Illinois market does offer better starting prospects.

The $15,986 in debt loads lighter than both state and national benchmarks ($20,368 and $25,166 respectively), which matters given those sliding earnings. A debt-to-earnings ratio around 0.37 means graduates would theoretically dedicate roughly five months of gross income to clearing their loans—manageable on paper, though that four-year earnings dip complicates the payoff timeline. Nearly half of Roosevelt's students receive Pell grants, indicating this program serves students for whom even moderate debt carries real weight.

The practical question: can your child stomach a career where earnings might plateau or decline in the early years? Legal support work often depends on local law firm economics and can be vulnerable to automation pressures. If they're committed to legal services and can keep borrowing below $16,000, this program offers a reasonable entry point—but they should have backup plans if the paralegal track doesn't deliver steady advancement.