Accounting at Strayer University-Global Region

Strayer's accounting graduates face a troubling combination: they carry debt loads that rank among the highest 5% nationally ($54,989), while their earnings lag behind most other DC accounting programs. At $52,373 in the first year, graduates earn roughly $13,000 less than the DC median and place in just the 25th percentile statewide—meaning three-quarters of DC accounting programs produce better earnings outcomes.

The debt burden is the critical issue here. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.05, graduates owe more than an entire year's salary, while typical accounting programs nationally carry half the debt ($25,000 median). Even as earnings grow modestly to $56,398 by year four, the financial math remains challenging. Students at nearby University of the District of Columbia, for instance, earn nearly $10,000 more annually while carrying significantly less debt.

This program serves a predominantly low-income population (53% receive Pell grants), which makes the debt levels particularly concerning. For families watching their budgets, this represents a high-risk investment in a field where stronger alternatives exist within the same city. Unless Strayer offers substantial scholarships to offset these sticker-price debt figures, families should seriously explore other DC-area accounting programs that deliver comparable or better outcomes without the debt burden.