Legal Support Services at South University-Montgomery

Montgomery, AL · Private for-profit · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 302 in Montgomery, AL.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $31,126/yr fall 16% below the $36,991 national median for Legal Support Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 10.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Legal Support Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $25,936 against $31,126/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #112 ranking among 127 Legal Support Services programs places South University-Montgomery in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 23% earnings increase from $31,126 to $38,185 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Legal Support Services careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

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 →

About Legal Support Services Careers

Your work will be at the heart of the legal process. As a paralegal, you’ll spend your days in a law office, drafting motions, organizing evidence for trial, and using research databases to find case-critical information. You might also work as a legal assistant, managing an attorney's busy calendar, electronically filing documents with the court, and serving as the primary point of contact for clients during stressful times.

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-Montgomery

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 36/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Legal Support Services at South University-Montgomery?
This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Legal Support Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Should I worry about AI if I study Legal Support Services?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $325,647 in decade earnings vs $395,965 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why are Legal Support Services earnings lower at South University-Montgomery?
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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Legal Support Services graduates?
Yes — 2 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Legal Support Services career paths, including Legal Secretary. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Legal Support Services workers?
The career paths mapped to Legal Support Services have roughly 77,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →