Analysis
Similar programs across Florida suggest this paralegal associate's degree could deliver solid practical value. With estimated earnings around $38,500 and debt near $18,300, the 0.47 debt ratio falls well below the concerning 1.0 threshold—meaning graduates could reasonably pay off their loans within their first year if they prioritized it. That's a notably better debt picture than the Florida median of $21,000 for legal support programs.
What makes these estimates particularly relevant is the consistency within Florida's legal market. Top-performing community college paralegal programs in the state—places like Palm Beach State and Seminole State—report first-year earnings between $40,000 and $47,000. This suggests the statewide estimate of $38,500 isn't aspirational; it reflects actual entry-level market conditions for associate-prepared legal support staff. The national median of $34,400 reinforces that Florida's legal market pays competitively for this credential.
The bigger question is whether State College of Florida can connect graduates to local law firms and corporate legal departments as effectively as its peers. Since the school serves a mid-sized metro area rather than major legal hubs like Tampa or Miami, your child should investigate placement support and local employer relationships directly. If those connections exist, the estimated numbers suggest manageable debt for a stable career path—but without verified outcomes from this specific program, confirming job placement rates becomes essential due diligence.
Where State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 State College of Florida-Manatee-SarasotaBradenton | $3,074 | $38,538* | — | $18,300* | — |
 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 State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota, approximately 36% 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.