Information Science/Studies at Strayer University-Arkansas

Strayer's Information Science program in Arkansas posts strong earnings—$71,167 in the first year, rising to nearly $79,000 by year four—that beat both national and state averages. Among Arkansas programs in this field, it ranks in the 60th percentile, well ahead of University of Arkansas at Little Rock's $49,000. The catch? Graduates leave with $53,250 in debt, more than double the national median and significantly above Arkansas norms.

This debt level primarily serves a population where 93% receive Pell grants, making the program's accessibility part of its value proposition. The 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within manageable territory—graduates earn enough in their first year to reasonably handle loan payments—and earnings growth of 11% over four years suggests stable career progression. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) makes these figures reliable, not statistical noise.

For families weighing this investment, the core question is whether the premium debt load is justified by the above-average outcomes. The program does deliver stronger starting salaries than cheaper alternatives in Arkansas, and graduates reach nearly $80,000 by year four. But that debt burden will affect monthly budgets for years. This works best for students who need the program's flexibility and support structure and who understand they're trading higher upfront costs for competitive earnings in Arkansas's tech market.