Analysis
Rasmussen's legal support program costs significantly more than Florida's community college alternatives while delivering below-average results for the state. At $27,876 in debt, graduates carry 32% more debt than the Florida median for this field, yet earn $37,112 four years out—about $1,400 less than the state median. This places the program in just the 40th percentile statewide, meaning 60% of Florida's legal support programs produce better outcomes.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 isn't alarming on its own, but context matters: nearby Palm Beach State and Seminole State graduates earn $7,000-$10,000 more annually while typically carrying less debt. Even Hillsborough Community College, another public option, produces graduates earning $2,400 more per year. The 8% earnings growth over four years shows some forward progress, but the gap with top state programs suggests students start behind and stay there.
For families comparing options in Florida, this comes down to value. Your child could attend a community college, graduate with similar or lower debt, and likely earn more from day one. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances—like needing Rasmussen's online flexibility or campus location—the state's public colleges offer a more straightforward path to this career at a better price point.
Where Rasmussen University-Florida Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Rasmussen University-Florida 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmussen University-Florida | $34,421 | $37,112 | +8% |
| Palm Beach State College | $46,622 | $44,916 | -4% |
| Seminole State College of Florida | $44,783 | $41,605 | -7% |
| Valencia College | $32,210 | $40,281 | +25% |
| South University-West Palm Beach | $31,126 | $36,422 | +17% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Florida (29 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Rasmussen University-FloridaOcala | $15,117 | $34,421 | $37,112 | $27,876 | 0.81 |
 Palm Beach State CollegeLake Worth | $3,050 | $46,622 | $44,916 | $9,000 | 0.19 |
 Seminole State College of FloridaSanford | $3,227 | $44,783 | $41,605 | $25,858 | 0.58 |
 Miami Dade CollegeMiami | $2,838 | $40,782 | — | $12,950 | 0.32 |
 Hillsborough Community CollegeTampa | $2,506 | $39,517 | — | $21,036 | 0.53 |
 Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleFort Lauderdale | $24,136 | $37,559 | $34,563 | $29,234 | 0.78 |
| National Median | — | $34,421 | — | $25,166 | 0.73 |
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 Rasmussen University-Florida, approximately 55% 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 75 graduates with reported earnings and 129 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.