Legal Support Services at Northern Virginia Community College

Annandale, VA · Public · Associate Degree

one of the larger campuses at 31,737 students in Annandale, VA.

Program Analysis

Northern Virginia Community College's Legal Support Services graduates start at $45,915/yr — above the $36,991 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 42.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 61% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Legal Support Services graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,985 in median debt clears fast against $45,915 in annual earnings.

Ranked #37 out of 127 programs, Northern Virginia Community College's Legal Support Services offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $45,915 to $46,360 over five years (1% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

Legal Support Services connects to 2 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
53
Score
56
High End
Earnings $45,915/yr (24% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (39% shielded)
Job Market Large (77,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$480K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
42.1x
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)
$11,406
Out-of-state: $23,572
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,985
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,360
1% 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 Northern Virginia Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northern Virginia Community College's Legal Support Services program score?
At 53/100, Northern Virginia Community College's Legal Support Services program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI affect Legal Support Services careers?
With 61% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $480,372 in decade earnings vs $480,372 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Legal Support Services graduates?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Legal Support Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Legal Support Services workers?
With approximately 77,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Legal Support Services offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →