Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 suggests reasonable affordability—based on comparable programs in Florida, graduates could expect to carry roughly half a year's salary in debt. Similar legal support programs across the state point to first-year earnings around $38,500, which aligns with the national median but falls short of top-performing programs like Palm Beach State ($46,622) and Seminole State ($44,783). The estimated $18,300 in debt is notably lower than both the state median ($21,036) and national median ($25,166), potentially reflecting Tallahassee State's commitment to keeping costs manageable for its student body, over a third of whom receive Pell grants.
The challenge is that we're working entirely with estimates here—neither earnings nor debt figures come from Tallahassee State's actual graduates, making it difficult to assess whether this specific program delivers competitive outcomes. The Florida legal support market shows considerable variation, with the strongest programs producing first-year earnings 20% higher than the state median. Without knowing where Tallahassee State falls in that range, families are betting on typical outcomes rather than proven results.
If your child is set on paralegal work and needs to stay local, the lower estimated debt offers some cushion against uncertainty. But before committing, contact the program directly for their actual graduate outcomes and job placement rates—and compare closely with nearby alternatives that have demonstrated track records.
Where Tallahassee State 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,026 | $38,538* | — | $18,300* | — | |
| $3,050 | $46,622* | $44,916 | $9,000* | 0.19 | |
| $3,227 | $44,783* | $41,605 | $25,858* | 0.58 | |
| $2,838 | $40,782* | — | $12,950* | 0.32 | |
| $2,506 | $39,517* | — | $21,036* | 0.53 | |
| $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 Tallahassee State College, approximately 37% 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.