Legal Support Services at Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, IL · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 5,280 students in Belleville, IL.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $42,994/yr, edging above the $36,991 national average for Legal Support Services — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 58.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% 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.

Southwestern Illinois College ranks #27 among 127 Legal Support Services programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $42,994 to $44,861 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
56
Score
59
High End
Earnings $42,994/yr (16% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (39% shielded)
Job Market Large (77,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$451K
1.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
58.3x
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 (In-State)
$7,740
Out-of-state: $12,420
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,861
4% 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

What can you do with a Legal Support Services credential from Southwestern Illinois College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Legal Support Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Legal Support Services Overview

Legal Support Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southwestern Illinois College

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 56/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Legal Support Services at Southwestern Illinois College?
At 56/100, Southwestern Illinois College's Legal Support Services program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Legal Support Services at Southwestern Illinois College?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $449,812 in decade earnings vs $451,210 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why does Southwestern Illinois College rank so high for Legal Support Services?
Among 127 Legal Support Services programs, Southwestern Illinois College's #27 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Are there apprenticeship options for Legal Support Services?
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 a program at Southwestern Illinois College.
How many job openings are there for Legal Support Services graduates?
At 77,600 annual openings, Legal Support Services has a large employment base. Southwestern Illinois College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →