Legal Support Services: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 121 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$111,425 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
166.1 yrsModeled economic break-even
−94%Modeled 10-year ROI
$45,714Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$45,714Median reported earnings · year 4
$43,602Average reported earnings · year 5
$22,285Median federal debt
44thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
121Reporting programs
112With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $55,899
- Federal debt
- $20,834
- Reporting programs
- 54
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $45,714
- Federal debt
- $22,285
- Reporting programs
- 121
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $52,444
- Federal debt
- $27,750
- Reporting programs
- 35
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $48,802
- Federal debt
- $24,621
- Reporting programs
- 5
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $70,692
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 3
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $76,951
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$40,593National median$45,71475th percentile$51,314
112 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Find the colleges that fit your constraints
Keep this exact federal field and credential fixed, then narrow the reporting colleges by location, sector and federal debt.
100 matchesShowing up to 25 currently operating colleges
1South Coast CollegeOrange, CA · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$66,628Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$16,5342Nassau Community CollegeGarden City, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$64,127Federal debt$9,000Annual net price$7,0953Plaza CollegeForest Hills, NY · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$62,067Federal debt$20,691Annual net price$19,8604Oakland Community CollegeAuburn Hills, MI · PublicYear-4 earnings$60,091Federal debt$14,083Annual net price$5,7775Portland Community CollegePortland, OR · PublicYear-4 earnings$60,004Federal debt$23,250Annual net price$10,4056Seminole State College of FloridaSanford, FL · PublicYear-4 earnings$59,641Federal debt$25,858Annual net price$8,9707Mt San Antonio CollegeWalnut, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$58,863Federal debt$14,353Annual net price$6,4908Austin Community College DistrictAustin, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$58,598Federal debt$14,125Annual net price$6,3909College of Southern NevadaLas Vegas, NV · PublicYear-4 earnings$58,446Federal debt$8,506Annual net price$6,61510Community College of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA · PublicYear-4 earnings$58,398Federal debt$20,812Annual net price$11,91111MTI CollegeSacramento, CA · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$58,367Federal debt$13,758Annual net price$21,74012Fremont UniversityCerritos, CA · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$57,539Federal debt$21,312Annual net price$34,48313Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny, IA · PublicYear-4 earnings$56,924Federal debt$12,250Annual net price$11,17114Hillsborough CollegeTampa, FL · PublicYear-4 earnings$56,823Federal debt$21,036Annual net price$3,86115Miami Dade CollegeMiami, FL · PublicYear-4 earnings$56,521Federal debt$12,950Annual net price$5,46316Inver Hills Community CollegeInver Grove Heights, MN · PublicYear-4 earnings$55,256Federal debt$24,521Annual net price$11,63617Northern Virginia Community CollegeAnnandale, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,989Federal debt$17,427Annual net price$9,91918Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma, WA · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,304Federal debt$12,071Annual net price$8,37619Edmonds CollegeLynnwood, WA · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,288Federal debt$15,531Annual net price$11,01020Arapahoe Community CollegeLittleton, CO · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,181Federal debt$20,750Annual net price$11,57121Front Range Community CollegeWestminster, CO · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,030Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$13,03122Southwestern Illinois CollegeBelleville, IL · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,017Federal debt$14,348Annual net price$10,42723City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright CollegeChicago, IL · PublicYear-4 earnings$52,837Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$6,37524North Hennepin Community CollegeBrooklyn Park, MN · PublicYear-4 earnings$52,554Federal debt$18,625Annual net price$12,18625Valencia CollegeOrlando, FL · PublicYear-4 earnings$51,929Federal debt$16,002Annual net price$12,037
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1South Coast College$66,6282Nassau Community College$64,1273Plaza College$62,0674Oakland Community College$60,0915Portland Community College$60,0046Seminole State College of Florida$59,6417Mt San Antonio College$58,8638Austin Community College District$58,5989College of Southern Nevada$58,44610Community College of Philadelphia$58,398Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Court Reporters and Simultaneous CaptionersSOC 27-3092 · 3 crosswalk linksLegal Support Workers, All OtherSOC 23-2099 · 2 crosswalk linksInterpreters and TranslatorsSOC 27-3091 · 1 crosswalk linksLegal Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsSOC 43-6012 · 1 crosswalk linksNO MATCHSOC 99-9999 · 1 crosswalk linksParalegals and Legal AssistantsSOC 23-2011 · 1 crosswalk linksTitle Examiners, Abstractors, and SearchersSOC 23-2093 · 1 crosswalk links
Where this degree has enough data to compare
State pages are published only when at least five operating colleges report year-4 earnings for this exact field and credential.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Coast CollegeAssociate's Degree | Orange, CA | $66,628 | Not available | +76% | Positive payoff |
| 2 | Nassau Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Garden City, NY | $64,127 | $9,000 | +84% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | Plaza CollegeAssociate's Degree | Forest Hills, NY | $62,067 | $20,691 | +32% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | Oakland Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Auburn Hills, MI | $60,091 | $14,083 | +49% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | Portland Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Portland, OR | $60,004 | $23,250 | +35% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | Seminole State College of FloridaAssociate's Degree | Sanford, FL | $59,641 | $25,858 | +36% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | Mt San Antonio CollegeAssociate's Degree | Walnut, CA | $58,863 | $14,353 | +35% | Positive payoff |
| 8 | Austin Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Austin, TX | $58,598 | $14,125 | +32% | Positive payoff |
| 9 | College of Southern NevadaAssociate's Degree | Las Vegas, NV | $58,446 | $8,506 | +30% | Positive payoff |
| 10 | Community College of PhiladelphiaAssociate's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $58,398 | $20,812 | +18% | Positive payoff |
| 11 | MTI CollegeAssociate's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $58,367 | $13,758 | +0% | Positive payoff |
| 12 | Fremont UniversityAssociate's Degree | Cerritos, CA | $57,539 | $21,312 | -21% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Des Moines Area Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Ankeny, IA | $56,924 | $12,250 | +6% | Positive payoff |
| 14 | Hillsborough CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tampa, FL | $56,823 | $21,036 | +21% | Positive payoff |
| 15 | Miami Dade CollegeAssociate's Degree | Miami, FL | $56,521 | $12,950 | +14% | Positive payoff |
| 16 | Inver Hills Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Inver Grove Heights, MN | $55,256 | $24,521 | -9% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | Northern Virginia Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Annandale, VA | $53,989 | $17,427 | -18% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Tacoma Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tacoma, WA | $53,304 | $12,071 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | Edmonds CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lynnwood, WA | $53,288 | $15,531 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | Arapahoe Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Littleton, CO | $53,181 | $20,750 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | Front Range Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Westminster, CO | $53,030 | Not available | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | Southwestern Illinois CollegeAssociate's Degree | Belleville, IL | $53,017 | $14,348 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright CollegeAssociate's Degree | Chicago, IL | $52,837 | Not available | -24% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | North Hennepin Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Brooklyn Park, MN | $52,554 | $18,625 | -34% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | Valencia CollegeAssociate's Degree | Orlando, FL | $51,929 | $16,002 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Liberty UniversityAssociate's Degree | Lynchburg, VA | $51,877 | $30,500 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Saint Louis Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bridgeton, MO | $51,646 | $6,500 | -38% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Roger Williams UniversityAssociate's Degree | Bristol, RI | $51,534 | $17,363 | -61% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | Palm Beach State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lake Worth, FL | $51,314 | $9,000 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Phoenix CollegeAssociate's Degree | Phoenix, AZ | $51,047 | $15,000 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | Anoka Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Anoka, MN | $50,480 | Not available | -56% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Cuyahoga Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Cleveland, OH | $50,360 | Not available | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Dallas CollegeAssociate's Degree | Dallas, TX | $49,117 | $17,294 | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | CUNY LaGuardia Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Long Island City, NY | $48,948 | Not available | -61% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Broward CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $48,911 | Not available | -67% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | Generations CollegeAssociate's Degree | Chicago, IL | $48,423 | $24,750 | -73% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Crestpoint UniversityAssociate's Degree | Phoenix, AZ | $48,417 | $25,250 | -72% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Sullivan UniversityAssociate's Degree | Louisville, KY | $47,418 | Not available | -83% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleAssociate's Degree | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $47,220 | $29,234 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | Midlands Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | West Columbia, SC | $46,996 | $21,320 | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | Nunez Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Chalmette, LA | $46,503 | $25,348 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | Tarrant County College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Fort Worth, TX | $46,074 | Not available | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | St Petersburg CollegeAssociate's Degree | St. Petersburg, FL | $45,987 | $29,528 | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Delaware Technical Community College-TerryAssociate's Degree | Dover, DE | $45,904 | Not available | -92% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Norfolk, VA | $45,823 | $14,863 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | Rasmussen University-FloridaAssociate's Degree | Ocala, FL | $45,751 | $27,876 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Rasmussen University-MinnesotaAssociate's Degree | St. Cloud, MN | $45,751 | $27,876 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | Rasmussen University-North DakotaAssociate's Degree | Fargo, ND | $45,751 | $27,876 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 49 | Rasmussen University-IllinoisAssociate's Degree | Rockford, IL | $45,751 | $27,876 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | Rasmussen University-WisconsinAssociate's Degree | Green Bay, WI | $45,751 | $27,876 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 51 | Rasmussen University-KansasAssociate's Degree | Topeka, KS | $45,751 | $27,876 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Herzing University-BirminghamAssociate's Degree | Birmingham, AL | $45,714 | $31,441 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | Herzing University-AtlantaAssociate's Degree | Atlanta, GA | $45,714 | $31,441 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Herzing University-MinneapolisAssociate's Degree | St. Louis Park, MN | $45,714 | $31,441 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | Herzing University-AkronAssociate's Degree | Akron, OH | $45,714 | $31,441 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Herzing University-MadisonAssociate's Degree | Madison, WI | $45,714 | $31,441 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | Herzing University-OrlandoAssociate's Degree | Winter Park, FL | $45,714 | $31,441 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | Herzing University-New OrleansAssociate's Degree | Metairie, LA | $45,714 | $31,441 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Herzing University-KenoshaAssociate's Degree | Kenosha, WI | $45,714 | $31,441 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | Herzing University-BrookfieldAssociate's Degree | Brookfield, WI | $45,714 | $31,441 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | IBMC CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fort Collins, CO | $45,636 | Not available | -96% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | South Puget Sound Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Olympia, WA | $45,368 | Not available | -97% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | Kirkwood Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Cedar Rapids, IA | $45,129 | $25,083 | -99% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | Northwest Career CollegeAssociate's Degree | Las Vegas, NV | $45,124 | $19,875 | -99% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | Madison Area Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Madison, WI | $44,946 | Not available | -100% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | Columbus State Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Columbus, OH | $44,915 | Not available | -101% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | Blinn College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Brenham, TX | $44,822 | Not available | -102% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | San Jacinto Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pasadena, TX | $44,805 | Not available | -102% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | Brookdale Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lincroft, NJ | $44,721 | Not available | -102% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | Harrisburg Area Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Harrisburg, PA | $43,996 | $13,337 | -108% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | Lewis and Clark Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Godfrey, IL | $43,909 | Not available | -111% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | Florida SouthWestern State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fort Myers, FL | $43,758 | $14,624 | -112% | Negative payoff |
| 73 | Central Piedmont Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Charlotte, NC | $43,452 | Not available | -116% | Negative payoff |
| 74 | National American University-Rapid CityAssociate's Degree | Rapid City, SD | $43,288 | Not available | -111% | Negative payoff |
| 75 | Pima Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $43,049 | Not available | -120% | Negative payoff |
| 76 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Richmond, VA | $42,660 | $20,250 | -123% | Negative payoff |
| 77 | Community College of Allegheny CountyAssociate's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $42,345 | Not available | -123% | Negative payoff |
| 78 | Baton Rouge Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Baton Rouge, LA | $42,298 | $20,750 | -125% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | Erie Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Buffalo, NY | $42,014 | $14,894 | -128% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | Pikes Peak State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Colorado Springs, CO | $41,460 | Not available | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 81 | Roosevelt UniversityAssociate's Degree | Chicago, IL | $41,138 | $15,986 | -130% | Negative payoff |
| 82 | Purdue University GlobalAssociate's Degree | West Lafayette, IN | $41,127 | $25,974 | -137% | Negative payoff |
| 83 | Greenville Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Greenville, SC | $40,785 | $18,500 | -137% | Negative payoff |
| 84 | Stautzenberger College-MaumeeAssociate's Degree | Maumee, OH | $40,593 | Not available | -133% | Negative payoff |
| 85 | Stautzenberger College-BrecksvilleAssociate's Degree | Brecksville, OH | $40,593 | Not available | -132% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rockford, IL | $40,593 | Not available | -133% | Negative payoff |
| 87 | Baker CollegeAssociate's Degree | Owosso, MI | $40,538 | Not available | -138% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | Bryan UniversityAssociate's Degree | Tempe, AZ | $40,435 | $26,380 | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | Bryant & Stratton College-AlbanyAssociate's Degree | Albany, NY | $40,003 | $25,524 | -143% | Negative payoff |
| 90 | Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse NorthAssociate's Degree | Liverpool, NY | $40,003 | $25,524 | -141% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | Bryant & Stratton College-BuffaloAssociate's Degree | Buffalo, NY | $40,003 | $25,524 | -142% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | Bryant & Stratton College-GreeceAssociate's Degree | Rochester, NY | $40,003 | $25,524 | -144% | Negative payoff |
| 93 | Bryant & Stratton College-ParmaAssociate's Degree | Parma, OH | $40,003 | $25,524 | -143% | Negative payoff |
| 94 | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia BeachAssociate's Degree | Virginia Beach, VA | $40,003 | $25,524 | -144% | Negative payoff |
| 95 | Bryant & Stratton College-WauwatosaAssociate's Degree | Wauwatosa, WI | $40,003 | $25,524 | -142% | Negative payoff |
| 96 | Bryant & Stratton College-OnlineAssociate's Degree | Orchard Park, NY | $40,003 | $25,524 | -142% | Negative payoff |
| 97 | Ivy Tech Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Indianapolis, IN | $39,884 | $14,280 | -149% | Negative payoff |
| 98 | American Public University SystemAssociate's Degree | Charles Town, WV | $39,259 | $26,419 | -153% | Negative payoff |
| 99 | Center for Advanced Legal StudiesAssociate's Degree | Houston, TX | $38,920 | $23,738 | -152% | Negative payoff |
| 100 | West Virginia Junior College-MorgantownAssociate's Degree | Morgantown, WV | $38,815 | $14,096 | -151% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.