Legal Support Services at Miami Dade College

Miami Dade College's Legal Support Services program offers a standout combination that's hard to beat: graduates earn $40,782 in their first year while carrying just $12,950 in debt. That 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio means students borrow roughly one-third of their first-year salary—remarkably low for any associate degree. While the program ranks at the 60th percentile among Florida's 29 legal support programs, it dramatically undercuts competitors on debt. Compare to Palm Beach State, where graduates earn $5,800 more but likely carry significantly higher debt loads.

The real story here is accessibility meeting solid returns. At a college where 45% of students receive Pell grants, this program demonstrates that lower-income students can enter the legal field without the crushing debt loads typical of the sector. The $12,950 in borrowing sits well below both the state median ($21,036) and national median ($25,166), placing it in the 95th percentile nationally—meaning only 5% of programs require less debt. Earnings of nearly $41,000 substantially exceed the national median of $34,421, landing this program in the 78th percentile nationwide.

For families seeking an affordable entry into legal careers, this program delivers practical value. The debt load is manageable enough that graduates can realistically pay it off within a year or two while building experience in law offices, corporate legal departments, or government agencies. It's a low-risk pathway to a stable career field.