Legal Support Services at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Bachelor's Degree
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
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Southern Illinois University-Carbondale graduates compare to all programs nationally
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale graduates earn $36k, placing them in the 44th percentile of all legal support services bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Legal Support Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (5 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | $36,159 | $39,092 | $28,000 | 0.77 |
| National Median | $36,900 | — | $27,875 | 0.76 |
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.