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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 →

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

View all 127 schools offering Legal Support Services →

Legal Support Services at Other Schools

Tacoma Community College ($50,681) Inver Hills Community College ($49,694) Des Moines Area Community College ($49,137) North Hennepin Community College ($48,960) Loyola University Chicago ($48,819) North Hennepin Community College ($48,599) MTI College ($47,535) Palm Beach State College ($46,622)

Other Majors at Southwestern Illinois College

Fire Protection ($77,935) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($65,290) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($57,296) Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management ($46,355) Precision Metal Working ($31,692) Biological and Physical Sciences ($29,678) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($25,513) Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants ($22,351)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Legal Support Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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?
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.
Can I learn Legal Support Services through an apprenticeship instead?
Legal Support Services connects to 2 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
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 →