Analysis
Miami Dade College's legal support certificate sits in a challenging middle ground. Peer programs at Florida schools suggest first-year earnings around $40,000, with debt loads that can range from the estimated $19,500 here to over $27,000 statewide. What makes this program harder to evaluate is that both the earnings and debt figures are estimates drawn from comparable programs nationally—we don't have actual outcomes for Miami Dade's specific graduates in this field. The four-year earnings figure of $47,754 provides one confirmed data point, showing movement upward over time, but that's several years out from certificate completion.
The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 looks manageable on paper, especially compared to the state's typical $27,898 debt burden for similar programs. However, for a certificate program serving a student body where 45% receive Pell grants, even $19,500 in debt represents a significant financial commitment. Legal support work in South Florida's competitive job market may offer steady employment, but the earnings trajectory appears modest—similar programs at Hillsborough and Rasmussen show graduates in the low-$40,000 range as well.
Given the reliance on estimated figures for this specific program, parents should verify current outcomes directly with Miami Dade's career services office before committing. The combination of uncertain costs and moderate earnings makes this a decision that hinges on individual circumstances—particularly whether your student has existing connections to legal employers in the Miami area.
Where Miami Dade College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dade College | — | $47,754 | — |
| Marist University | $41,431 | $70,394 | +70% |
| Phoenix College | $38,910 | $58,400 | +50% |
| Hofstra University | $39,740 | $55,384 | +39% |
| Hamline University | $43,918 | $55,062 | +25% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Legal Support Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Florida (23 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Miami Dade CollegeMiami | $2,838 | $40,429* | $47,754 | $19,500* | — |
 Hillsborough Community CollegeTampa | $2,506 | $43,871* | — | $27,000* | 0.62 |
 Rasmussen University-FloridaOcala | $15,117 | $40,492* | — | $28,796* | 0.71 |
| National Median | — | $40,429* | — | $20,834* | 0.52 |
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 Miami Dade College, approximately 45% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 41 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.