Analysis
University of Cincinnati's Legal Support Services program earns a 93rd percentile ranking nationally, placing it among the elite for this degree—but the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. Still, the $45,549 starting salary substantially outpaces both the national median ($36,900) and Ohio's typical outcomes ($37,268). Within Ohio, UC ranks in the 60th percentile, which is solid though not exceptional compared to in-state alternatives like Kent State.
The debt picture looks reasonable at $25,258, creating a manageable 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates should be able to handle. More encouraging is the 19% earnings growth to $54,323 by year four, suggesting this credential opens doors to career advancement rather than leaving graduates stuck at entry-level paralegal wages.
The critical caveat is that small sample: these impressive numbers might reflect a few exceptional graduates rather than typical outcomes. If your child is considering this path, the data suggests UC prepares students well, but you'd want to verify these results hold up over multiple graduating classes. At an 88% admission rate with modest debt, it's a relatively low-risk bet—just don't bank entirely on replicating that 93rd percentile performance.
Where University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Cincinnati-Main Campus 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | $45,549 | $54,323 | +19% |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | $34,675 | $50,044 | +44% |
| Herzing University-Akron | $33,315 | $44,715 | +34% |
| Kent State University at Kent | $38,981 | $43,984 | +13% |
| University of Toledo | $35,554 | $43,888 | +23% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Legal Support Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (9 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $13,570 | $45,549 | $54,323 | $25,258 | 0.55 | |
| $12,846 | $38,981 | $43,984 | $25,000 | 0.64 | |
| $12,377 | $35,554 | $43,888 | $27,605 | 0.78 | |
| $13,420 | $33,315 | $44,715 | — | — | |
| 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 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, approximately 18% 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 17 graduates with reported earnings and 22 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.