Business/Commerce at Strayer University-Global Region

Strayer University's business program delivers strong earnings that place it in the 81st percentile nationally, but comes with a significant debt burden that demands careful consideration. Graduates earn $55,431 in their first year—well above the national median of $47,506 for business programs—and see steady growth to nearly $60,000 by year four. However, the median debt of $56,517 is more than double the national average of $26,000, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio just over 1:1.

The program's positioning in DC is more modest, ranking in the 60th percentile among the district's limited options. With only four business programs in DC, Strayer essentially ties for the median, sitting just below George Washington University's $58,373 starting salary. The debt load represents a clear trade-off: you're paying premium prices (5th percentile nationally means 95% of programs have lower debt) for above-average but not exceptional outcomes in the local market.

For families, this translates to roughly $565 in monthly loan payments over 10 years, which is manageable given the starting salary but leaves little room for financial flexibility early in a graduate's career. The program works best for students who can minimize borrowing through family support or employer assistance, given that 53% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting many come from lower-income backgrounds where this debt level could be particularly challenging.