Accounting at Strayer University-Georgia

Strayer University-Georgia graduates earn more than the typical Georgia accounting program—landing at the 60th percentile statewide—but they're carrying debt loads that dwarf what students at comparable schools face. With median debt of $55,000 versus Georgia's $26,000 median, these graduates owe more than twice what most accounting students in the state borrow, placing them in the 5th percentile nationally for debt (meaning 95% of programs saddle students with less).

The immediate challenge: first-year earnings of $52,373 barely cover that debt burden, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.05. While earnings do grow 8% to $56,398 by year four, that trajectory doesn't fundamentally change the math. For context, nearby Georgia State produces similar mid-career earnings ($55,761) but typically with half the debt load. The high Pell grant percentage (78%) suggests many students here already face financial constraints, making the debt premium particularly concerning.

Accounting offers solid career stability, and Strayer's graduates do earn respectably—outpacing half the accounting programs in Georgia. But for families weighing options, the question is whether that performance justifies borrowing $30,000 more than students at in-state public universities. Unless proximity or scheduling flexibility makes Strayer uniquely accessible, Georgia State or Kennesaw State deliver comparable outcomes at dramatically lower cost.