by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 32 U.S. colleges awarded 431 degrees and certificates in Court Reporting and Captioning. Certificates are the most popular award, at 54% of graduates. College Factual ranks 11 schools in its 2027 Best Court Reporting and Captioning Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,861 one year after completing, rising to $48,616 after four years.
A major in Court Reporting and Captioning covers Court Reporting And Captioning/court Reporter. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Record And Transcribe Examinations, Testimony, Judicial Orders And Instructions, Legal Opinions, And Other Formal Proceedings Via Print Or Electronic Methods. Includes Instruction In Legal Terminology, Legal Transcription, Shorthand, Verbatim Recording, Equipment Operation And Procedures, Applicable Regulations, And Professional Standards And Ethics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., court reporting and captioning is a widely-pursued major, with 431 degrees awarded annually. 32 colleges award court reporting and captioning degrees, an average of 13 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 85.
By level, the 431 awards include 232 certificates, 100 associate degrees, 2 bachelor’s degrees and 97 master’s degrees.
Women earned 92% of court reporting and captioning degrees and certificates in the latest year (397 of 431). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (228) and Hispanic or Latino (123).
College Factual ranks 11 schools in its 2027 Best Court Reporting and Captioning Schools ranking, including 3 for associate degrees. It also ranks court reporting and captioning schools within 2 states. In all, 32 colleges offer court reporting and captioning programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Court Reporting and Captioning Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common court reporting and captioning credential is the certificate: 232 of the 431 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to court reporting and captioning call most for Active Listening, Writing and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Administrative and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Speech Recognition and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a court reporting and captioning degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 232 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 100 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 97 |
Postsecondary certificate is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to court reporting and captioning, at 74.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 74.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.5% |
| Some college courses | 5.2% |
| First professional degree | 2.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Court Reporting and Captioning, with an average median salary of $76,955; the strongest outlook belongs to Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners, at 8.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Court Recording Monitor, Court Recorder, Voice Writing Reporter and Hearings Reporter.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to court reporting and captioning, at 51,457.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | 51,457 | 8.7% |
Court Reporting and Captioning graduates earn a median $37,861 one year after completing their program, $48,616 after four years and $44,365 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,861 |
| 4 years | $48,616 |
| 5 years | $44,365 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to court reporting and captioning, with a median salary of $76,955.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,955 |
Court Reporting and Captioning has 3 similar majors in the Legal Professions field, which together award 10,287 degrees a year; the largest are Legal Assistant/Paralegal (9,687), Legal Administrative Assistant/Secretary (367) and Legal Support Services, Other (233). Browse all Legal Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Legal Assistant/Paralegal | 9,687 |
| Legal Administrative Assistant/Secretary | 367 |
| Legal Support Services, Other | 233 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
