Analysis
Florida Gulf Coast University's legal support program outperforms most Florida alternatives while keeping debt manageable. Graduates earn $44,645 four years out, placing them in the 60th percentile among Florida programs—ahead of both University of West Florida and South University-West Palm Beach. Only St. Petersburg College produces stronger earnings in the state. The $22,777 in typical debt sits well below Florida's median of $29,008, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 that graduates can reasonably handle.
The 12% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests genuine career progression rather than a dead-end credential. Starting at nearly $40,000 and climbing past $44,000 demonstrates that these graduates aren't stuck in entry-level roles. Combined with below-state-average borrowing, this program delivers solid preparation for paralegal and legal assistant positions without the financial strain common in many undergraduate programs.
For families considering Florida schools, this represents good value—particularly compared to pricier alternatives that produce similar or weaker outcomes. The one caveat: St. Petersburg College's graduates earn about $1,000 more annually, though FGCU's four-year university environment may offer advantages in campus experience and breadth of education that matter to some students.
Where Florida Gulf Coast University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Florida Gulf Coast University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Gulf Coast University | $39,824 | $44,645 | +12% |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | $45,549 | $54,323 | +19% |
| St Petersburg College | $43,499 | $42,067 | -3% |
| University of West Florida | $36,524 | $41,313 | +13% |
| South University-West Palm Beach | $36,900 | $38,332 | +4% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Legal Support Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFort Myers | $6,118 | $39,824 | $44,645 | $22,777 | 0.57 |
 St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg | $2,682 | $43,499 | $42,067 | $35,238 | 0.81 |
 South University-West Palm BeachRoyal Palm Beach | $18,238 | $36,900 | $38,332 | $48,729 | 1.32 |
 University of West FloridaPensacola | $6,360 | $36,524 | $41,313 | $19,250 | 0.53 |
| National Median | — | $36,900 | — | $27,875 | 0.76 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with legal support services graduates
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Interpreters and Translators
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers
Legal Support Workers, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Florida Gulf Coast University, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 63 graduates with reported earnings and 69 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.