Legal Support Services at South University-Savannah

South University-Savannah's Legal Support Services program graduates typically owe nearly an entire year's salary—a debt load that would take careful budgeting to manage on paralegal wages. While first-year earnings of $31,126 trail the national median by about $3,300, the program does rank in the middle of Georgia's legal support offerings. More concerningly, the debt here sits in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable programs nationwide saddle students with less debt for similar credentials.

The earnings trajectory does show promise, with a 17% increase to $36,422 by year four—suggesting graduates gain value through experience. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably year to year. For a school serving predominantly Pell Grant students (72%), this debt-to-earnings balance matters enormously. A graduate making $31,000 would face monthly payments around $300-350 on standard repayment plans, consuming roughly 12-14% of gross income.

Compare this to Herzing University-Atlanta, where graduates in the same field earn $39,952—nearly $9,000 more annually. Unless South University offers compelling advantages like flexible scheduling or location convenience, families should carefully weigh whether the higher debt load justifies attending this program when alternatives exist within Georgia that might offer better financial outcomes.