Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Strayer University-District of Columbia

Strayer's DC campus charges above-average debt for its IT management associate's degree, but the initial payoff justifies it—graduates earn $61,810 their first year out, crushing the national median of $41,752 by nearly 50%. That $28,174 debt burden translates to a manageable 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning students owe less than half their starting salary. For context, only 5% of similar programs nationwide leave students with less debt, yet Strayer still delivers top-tier earnings.

The downside? That strong start doesn't hold. Earnings dip to $57,214 by year four, a 7% decline that's unusual for tech fields where experience typically commands higher pay. This pattern suggests graduates may be landing solid entry-level positions but not advancing as expected, possibly because an associate's degree hits a ceiling in DC's competitive tech market. Among DC's four schools offering this program, Strayer sits at the 60th percentile—respectable but not dominant locally.

For families weighing this investment: the first-year numbers are genuinely strong, especially given that 71% of students receive Pell grants, indicating the program serves lower-income students well initially. However, that earnings decline signals you're buying access to good starter jobs, not necessarily a long-term career trajectory. If your child plans to pursue a bachelor's later or values immediate employment in DC, the math works. If they expect associate's-level earnings growth over time, they may be disappointed.