Analysis
With only a handful of graduates tracked, this program's outcomes hover right at Illinois' median for legal support services—$36,159 first-year earnings against $28,000 in debt. That 0.77 debt ratio is manageable, and earnings do climb to $39,092 by year four, though that's still modest compensation for a bachelor's degree holder.
The real question here is opportunity cost. At 90% admission and serving many Pell-eligible students, SIU-Carbondale provides accessible education, but these earnings barely outpace what many paralegals earn with just an associate's degree or certificate. The program sits below national averages (44th percentile) while reaching the 60th percentile in Illinois—suggesting it's competitive locally but not nationally. Given that only five Illinois schools offer this bachelor's program, parents should investigate whether a two-year paralegal credential might deliver similar earnings with less debt and time investment.
The small sample size means one or two graduates' experiences could swing these numbers significantly. Before committing, look hard at what specific roles these graduates secure and whether employers in your target market value the bachelor's credential over shorter legal support training. The debt is reasonable, but the earnings ceiling appears low for a four-year degree.
Where Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Southern Illinois University-Carbondale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | $36,159 | $39,092 | +8% |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | $45,549 | $54,323 | +19% |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | $34,675 | $50,044 | +44% |
| University of Houston-Clear Lake | $42,723 | $48,678 | +14% |
| Grand Valley State University | $40,778 | $47,792 | +17% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Legal Support Services bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale | $13,244 | $36,159 | $39,092 | $28,000 | 0.77 |
 Roger Williams UniversityBristol | $42,666 | $51,445 | $43,076 | $19,619 | 0.38 |
 SUNY College of Technology at CantonCanton | $8,689 | $48,269 | $41,745 | $30,708 | 0.64 |
 Stevenson UniversityOwings Mills | $39,708 | $46,661 | $47,122 | $27,000 | 0.58 |
 Peirce CollegePhiladelphia | $15,060 | $46,406 | $45,401 | $47,341 | 1.02 |
 University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati | $13,570 | $45,549 | $54,323 | $25,258 | 0.55 |
| National Median | — | $36,900 | — | $27,875 | 0.76 |
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 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, approximately 37% 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 24 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.