Analysis
A bachelor's degree in Legal Support Services that leaves graduates with nearly $49,000 in debt—substantially more than what peer programs typically produce—deserves careful scrutiny. Similar programs across the country carry a median debt load of about $28,000, meaning this estimate suggests Stevens graduates could face nearly 75% more borrowing for the same credential. When first-year earnings hover around $37,000 (based on national norms for this field), that debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.32 creates a challenging financial start.
The program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (76%), which makes the elevated debt estimate particularly concerning. Legal support roles—paralegals, legal assistants, and similar positions—do offer steady employment, but the field isn't known for rapid salary growth in early career years. National data shows even top-performing programs in this major only reach about $42,000 in first-year earnings. That means even optimistic scenarios wouldn't dramatically improve the payback timeline for the estimated debt here.
Given the lack of reported outcomes data from Stevens itself or comparable Missouri programs, prospective students should seek concrete placement rates and actual graduate earnings directly from the school before enrolling. The estimated financial picture suggests this particular bachelor's program may not deliver sufficient return on investment, especially when many legal support roles remain accessible through associate degrees or certificate programs at considerably lower cost.
Where Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services bachelors's programs nationally
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Stevens-The Institute of Business & ArtsSaint Louis | $12,968 | $36,900* | — | $48,729* | — |
 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 Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts, approximately 76% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 36 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.