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

Analysis

This Rasmussen certificate comes with a concerning price tag: $28,796 in debt—nearly $5,000 above the Kansas median and 38% higher than what's typical nationally for this program. While the first-year earnings of $40,492 are close to national norms, they trail the Kansas median by over $2,000, placing this program in just the 40th percentile statewide. For context, Johnson County Community College graduates from the same program earn about $4,400 more annually while likely carrying less debt.

The 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates face debt equal to nearly nine months of first-year income—manageable but not ideal when you're competing for paralegal positions against peers who paid considerably less for similar credentials. With 57% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are price-sensitive, making that premium debt load particularly relevant.

For Kansas families, the math is straightforward: you can get comparable legal support training elsewhere in the state for less money and potentially better earnings outcomes. Unless location or scheduling makes Rasmussen uniquely accessible, parents should compare the total cost carefully against community college alternatives before committing to this program.

Where Rasmussen University-Kansas Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Rasmussen University-Kansas graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas

Legal Support Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (6 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Rasmussen University-KansasTopeka$15,340$40,492—$28,7960.71
Johnson County Community CollegeOverland Park$2,328$44,921$40,657$19,3670.43
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-Kansas, approximately 57% 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.