Legal Support Services at Rose State College
Associate's Degree
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
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Rose State College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Rose State College graduates earn $44k, placing them in the 89th percentile of all legal support services associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Oklahoma
Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Oklahoma (4 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose State College | $43,518 | $41,236 | $14,591 | 0.34 |
| National Median | $34,421 | — | $25,166 | 0.73 |
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.