Information Science/Studies at Strayer University-District of Columbia

Strayer's Information Science program produces earnings that match the national 75th percentile at $71,167, but getting there requires shouldering debt more than twice the national norm—$53,250 versus a typical $25,750. That's a significant financial burden, particularly for a student body where 71% receive Pell grants, signaling families without substantial savings to draw from.

Within DC's small pool of Information Science programs, this actually sits at the median for both earnings and debt—so the price point reflects the local market rather than Strayer uniquely overcharging. The earnings trajectory looks solid, climbing 11% to nearly $79,000 by year four, and the 0.75 debt-to-income ratio means graduates earn enough in their first year to manage the loans. For context, owing three-quarters of your first-year salary is workable, though not comfortable.

The core question: Is the DC job market's higher earnings worth the premium debt load? If your student plans to stay in the region and work in the federal government or contractor space where these information science skills command strong salaries, the investment pencils out. But if they're considering less expensive programs elsewhere—particularly public universities with similar outcomes—those alternatives deserve serious consideration. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) means these numbers are reliable, not statistical noise.