Information Science/Studies at Strayer University-Delaware

Strayer's Information Science program delivers strong earnings—$71,167 in the first year, outpacing 75% of similar programs nationally—but at a steep price. The $53,250 median debt is more than double the national average for this degree, placing graduates in the bottom 5% for debt burden among Information Science programs nationwide. That 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates start with debt equivalent to nine months of their salary, which is manageable but only if those earnings hold steady.

The earnings trajectory offers some reassurance: graduates see 11% growth by year four, reaching nearly $79,000. This isn't explosive growth, but it's solid progress in a field where tech skills tend to compound over time. However, the fundamental question is whether that $27,500 premium in debt (compared to the national median) is justified by the career outcomes. For context, graduates earning the national median of $58,651 would need over four years of the full salary difference just to break even on the extra borrowing.

With 69% of students receiving Pell grants, Strayer serves a population that may have limited alternatives, and for those students entering well-paying tech roles, this path can work. But families with other options—particularly in-state public universities—should scrutinize whether this program's price tag makes financial sense when comparable programs nationally deliver similar earnings with half the debt.