Information Science/Studies at Strayer University-Georgia

Strayer University-Georgia's Information Science program manages something unusual: despite carrying debt levels more than double the state median ($53,250 vs. $28,000), it delivers earnings that place graduates in the 80th percentile among Georgia programs. First-year earnings of $71,167 outpace even Kennesaw State, the state's next-highest performer, by more than $7,000.

The debt load requires context. At 75% of first-year earnings, the ratio sits in manageable territory—these aren't crushing payments relative to income. And the program serves predominantly Pell-eligible students (78%), many of whom are accessing higher education through loans regardless of where they attend. The question becomes whether the earnings premium justifies the extra cost. Given that graduates here earn $20,000 more annually than the Georgia median for this program, there's a case to be made that it does, particularly as earnings continue growing to nearly $79,000 by year four.

The concern isn't whether graduates can repay—the earnings suggest they can. It's whether families understand they're choosing a premium-priced option in a state with lower-cost alternatives. For students confident in completing the program and entering the workforce immediately, the earnings trajectory supports the investment. But anyone considering this route should recognize they're taking on roughly twice the debt of typical Georgia Information Science graduates, betting that the stronger career services or employer connections will justify the difference.