Legal Support Services at Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private nonprofit · Certificate

Loyola University Chicago accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 11,576 students in Chicago, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $48,819 put Loyola University Chicago's Legal Support Services program 32% above the national median of $36,991 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

With a 10.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% 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.

With first-year pay of $48,819 far exceeding the $12,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #61 ranking among 127 Legal Support Services programs places Loyola University Chicago in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

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

45 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
45
Score
49
High End
Earnings $48,819/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (39% shielded)
Job Market Large (77,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$560K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
10.8x
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
$51,716
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings

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

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 45/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Legal Support Services at Loyola University Chicago?
This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Legal Support Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Will AI affect Legal Support Services careers?
AI won't 'replace' Legal Support Services careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 61% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
How affordable is Legal Support Services at Loyola University Chicago?
At $12,500 in median debt, Legal Support Services graduates from Loyola University Chicago carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Legal Support Services through an apprenticeship instead?
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.
How many job openings are there for Legal Support Services graduates?
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 →