Median Earnings (1yr)
$40,492
50th percentile
40th percentile in Illinois
Median Debt
$28,796
38% above national median

Analysis

Rasmussen's legal support program lands squarely at the national median for earnings but trails most Illinois competitors, ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide. At $40,492 first-year earnings, graduates earn roughly $1,700 less than the state median and fall $5,000 short of nearby College of Lake County's outcomes. With 21 legal support programs across Illinois, parents should recognize this represents a middle-of-the-pack option that underperforms the state average.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $28,796, borrowing here sits below the Illinois median ($25,210) but remains $8,000 higher than the national norm. That 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates dedicate about 8.5 months of their first year's salary to debt—manageable, but higher than what similar programs typically generate. The 63% Pell grant rate indicates this serves primarily working-class students, for whom that extra $8,000 in debt matters considerably.

For families in the Rockford area seeking legal support training, community colleges like College of Lake County or Harper College deliver stronger earnings outcomes at comparable or lower debt levels. Unless geographic constraints make Rasmussen the only viable option, Illinois families can likely find better value elsewhere in the state's crowded legal support training market.

Where Rasmussen University-Illinois Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Rasmussen University-Illinois graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Legal Support Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (21 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Rasmussen University-IllinoisRockford$13,546$40,492$28,7960.71
Loyola University ChicagoChicago$51,716$48,819$35,0000.72
College of Lake CountyGrayslake$4,494$45,094
William Rainey Harper CollegePalatine$3,822$43,980
College of DuPageGlen Ellyn$4,320$40,429$21,6250.53
Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career CollegeRockford$16,699$35,289$20,8340.59
National Median$40,429$20,8340.52

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with legal support services graduates

Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners

Use verbatim methods and equipment to capture, store, retrieve, and transcribe pretrial and trial proceedings or other information. Includes stenocaptioners who operate computerized stenographic captioning equipment to provide captions of live or prerecorded broadcasts for hearing-impaired viewers.

$67,310/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

$61,010/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Interpreters and Translators

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

$59,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.

$47,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance documents or details for a variety of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

Legal Support Workers, All Other

All legal support workers not listed separately.

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-Illinois, approximately 63% 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 34 graduates with reported earnings and 39 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.