Analysis
Rose State College's legal support program graduates earn $43,518 in their first year—significantly above the national median of $34,421 and landing in the 89th percentile nationwide. However, context matters: Oklahoma has only four schools offering this program, and Rose State sits at the median within the state. The relatively high national ranking says more about how well legal support professionals earn in Oklahoma generally than about Rose State specifically. More concerning is the earnings trajectory, with salaries dipping to $41,236 by year four.
The debt picture offers real value. At $14,591, graduates borrow roughly half the national median ($25,166) for this program, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34. That means total debt equals about four months of gross pay—reasonable for most budgets. Combined with solid starting salaries, graduates typically face comfortable monthly payments relative to their income.
The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, so don't treat them as gospel. But the core math works: decent starting pay, low borrowing, and a debt load you can actually manage. For Oklahoma families looking at paralegal careers, Rose State provides an affordable entry point, even if the earnings plateau disappoints compared to typical associate degree salary growth.
Where Rose State College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Rose State College 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rose State College | $43,518 | $41,236 | -5% |
| Portland Community College | $42,463 | $52,633 | +24% |
| South Coast College | $44,536 | $48,586 | +9% |
| MTI College | $47,535 | $48,502 | +2% |
| Inver Hills Community College | $49,694 | $46,860 | -6% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Legal Support Services associates's programs at top institutions nationally
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,032 | $43,518 | $41,236 | $14,591 | 0.34 | |
| $6,007 | $49,694 | $46,860 | $24,521 | 0.49 | |
| $5,550 | $49,137 | — | $12,250 | 0.25 | |
| $5,050 | $48,960 | $42,281 | $18,625 | 0.38 | |
| — | $47,535 | $48,502 | $13,758 | 0.29 | |
| $3,050 | $46,622 | $44,916 | $9,000 | 0.19 | |
| 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 Rose State College, approximately 29% 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 16 graduates with reported earnings and 25 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.