Legal Support Services at South University-Columbia
Associate's Degree
southuniversity.edu/columbia#location=Columbia, SCAnalysis
South University-Columbia charges nearly $5,000 more in student loans than the typical legal support program in South Carolina, yet graduates earn slightly above the state median—ranking 60th percentile among SC programs. This positions it as a middle-tier option within the state, but the debt load matters: nearly a year's salary borrowed for earnings that start at $31,126. Compare this to Greenville Technical or Midlands Technical, where graduates earn $37,000+ with similar or lower debt burdens.
The 17% earnings growth over four years provides some optimism, but graduates would still be managing debt equivalent to their annual income while their peers at technical colleges are clearing financial hurdles faster. Given that 58% of students here receive Pell grants, that debt burden hits families with limited financial cushion particularly hard. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year.
For families comparing paralegal programs in South Carolina, the technical college system offers stronger returns. Unless South University provides specialized placement services or connections that justify the premium, the math favors schools where graduates start $5,000-$8,000 ahead annually with comparable or lower debt.
Where South University-Columbia Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How South University-Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South University-Columbia | $31,126 | $36,422 | +17% |
| Midlands Technical College | $37,615 | $38,998 | +4% |
| Greenville Technical College | $39,026 | $37,947 | -3% |
| Miller-Motte College-Charleston | $27,479 | $33,880 | +23% |
| Miller-Motte College-Conway | $27,479 | $33,880 | +23% |
Compare to Similar Programs in South Carolina
Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in South Carolina (13 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 South University-ColumbiaColumbia | $18,238 | $31,126 | $36,422 | $30,306 | 0.97 |
 Greenville Technical CollegeGreenville | $5,639 | $39,026 | $37,947 | $18,500 | 0.47 |
 Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia | $4,788 | $37,615 | $38,998 | $21,320 | 0.57 |
 York Technical CollegeRock Hill | $5,512 | $27,997 | — | $10,647 | 0.38 |
 Miller-Motte College-CharlestonCharleston | — | $27,479 | $33,880 | $30,263 | 1.10 |
| Miller-Motte College-ConwayConway | — | $27,479 | $33,880 | $30,263 | 1.10 |
| 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 South University-Columbia, approximately 58% 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 18 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.