Legal Support Services at South University-Columbia

South University-Columbia's Legal Support Services bachelor's program costs students nearly $49,000 in debt to earn around $37,000 annually—a debt burden that's 75% higher than what most legal support graduates face nationally. While this might be the only bachelor's-level option for this field in South Carolina, that doesn't make the financial equation easier to swallow. Graduates are starting with debt loads that will take years to manage on paralegal-level salaries.

There's a sliver of good news: earnings do climb slightly to $38,332 by year four, and graduates are performing at the 60th percentile among South Carolina legal support programs. However, with only one program in the state offering this degree, that comparison provides limited comfort. More concerning is that the debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.32 means graduates face over a year's salary in loans—manageable for doctors or engineers, but painful on $36,900. The program serves a predominantly working-class population (58% Pell recipients), making this debt burden particularly problematic.

The small sample size here is worth noting—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could swing significantly with just a few outliers. For families considering this path, the central question is whether the bachelor's degree provides enough of a career advantage over an associate's degree or certificate program to justify the additional debt. Many paralegals succeed with less expensive credentials, and that may be worth exploring before committing to nearly $50,000 in loans.