Analysis
A bachelor's degree in legal support services that leaves students with nearly $33,000 in debt and estimated first-year earnings around $37,000 raises immediate questions about return on investment. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.89 means graduates are likely carrying nearly a full year's salary in loans—manageable compared to some fields, but tight when you factor in Puerto Rico's cost of living and entry-level paralegal wages. With 70% of students receiving Pell grants, most families here are counting on this degree to deliver economic mobility, not just employment.
The challenge is that these figures come from national peer programs, not actual outcomes for Universidad Ana G. Mendez graduates. Similar legal support bachelor's programs nationwide produce a median starting salary of $37,000, which aligns with these estimates, but Puerto Rico's job market and wage scales differ significantly from the mainland. Without actual data from this specific program, it's impossible to know whether graduates are securing paralegal positions at San Juan law firms, working in government offices, or struggling to find roles that require a four-year degree rather than a certificate.
The practical concern: bachelor's degrees in legal support aren't always necessary for paralegal work, and many students enter the field with two-year degrees or certificates at a fraction of the debt. Before committing to this program, verify what local employers actually require and whether this school's graduates are finding positions that justify the four-year investment.
Where Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina CampusCarolina | $6,920 | $36,900* | — | $32,701* | — |
 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 Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus, approximately 70% 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.