Legal Support Services at South University-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Private for-profit · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 445 students in Columbia, SC.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,126 place South University-Columbia below the $36,991 national median for Legal Support Services — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 10.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Legal Support Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Legal Support Services's career paths, with 61% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,936 represents roughly 10 months of the $31,126 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #121 of 127 Legal Support Services programs, South University-Columbia falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $31,126 to $38,185 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Legal Support Services, including Legal Secretary (median $54,140/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

36 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
30
Low End
36
Score
40
High End
Earnings $31,126/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (39% shielded)
Job Market Large (77,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$396K
5.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
10.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$36,476
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,936
10.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,185
23% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Legal Support Services graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Legal support workers, all other $68,760 -1.2% 100%
Court reporters and simultaneous captioners $67,310 -0.3% 4%
Paralegals and legal assistants $61,010 +0.2% 48%
Legal support workers, all other
$68,760
-1.2% growth 100% AI-proof
Court reporters and simultaneous captioners
$67,310
-0.3% growth 4% AI-proof
Paralegals and legal assistants
$61,010
+0.2% growth 48% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Legal Support Services Career Guide

Explore what Legal Support Services graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 127 programs nationwide.

Read the full Legal Support Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Legal Support Services Overview

Legal Support Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at South University-Columbia

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does South University-Columbia's Legal Support Services program score?
At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Legal Support Services programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How vulnerable is Legal Support Services to AI automation?
The 61% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — South University-Columbia graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is South University-Columbia a good choice for Legal Support Services despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Are there apprenticeship options for Legal Support Services?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Legal Support Services occupations, such as Legal Secretary and Paralegal (Alternate Title: Paralegal Specialist). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Legal Support Services graduates?
With approximately 77,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Legal Support Services offers a large employment pool. South University-Columbia graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →