Analysis
Similar legal support programs across Florida suggest first-year earnings around $38,500, which would place this program right at the state median—but the $29,500 in debt is concerning. That's 40% higher than what graduates typically carry from comparable Florida programs, and among the highest debt loads nationally for this credential. When peer programs produce similar earnings with significantly less borrowing, that gap matters.
The good news is that a 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio, if these estimates hold, is manageable—well below the threshold where loan payments become burdensome. And legal support services offers stable employment with clear career paths, which counts for something in fields where earnings can be unpredictable. Still, when colleges like Palm Beach State and Seminole State report actual outcomes above $44,000 with lower debt, the question becomes whether St. Petersburg College's program delivers comparable value or if its graduates face a steeper climb.
For families considering this program, the priority should be confirming whether these estimated outcomes reflect reality for recent graduates. Ask the school directly about job placement rates and starting salaries for their legal support completers. If the actual earnings match the state average but the debt premium persists, you're financing an average outcome at above-average cost—a trade-off worth scrutinizing before committing.
Where St Petersburg College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all legal support services associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Legal Support Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Florida (29 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg | $2,682 | $38,538* | — | $29,528 | — |
 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 St Petersburg College, approximately 33% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in FL. Actual outcomes may vary.