Accounting at Strayer University-Maryland

Strayer's accounting program ranks in the bottom quarter of Maryland accounting programs, with graduates earning $56,398 four years out—about $7,600 below the state median and $13,400 less than University of Maryland-College Park grads. More concerning is the debt load: at $54,989, it's more than double both the national and Maryland median for accounting programs, creating a debt burden that equals an entire year's starting salary.

The numbers tell a troubling story when you compare value propositions. A Loyola or Stevenson graduate starts with similar debt but earns $13,000 more annually, paying down their loans much faster. Even Mount St. Mary's, which serves a comparable mission-driven population, delivers substantially better outcomes with half the debt. The 8% earnings growth over four years is positive but doesn't make up for starting behind—accounting careers typically reward the credential itself, and this one isn't opening the same doors as competitors.

For a family considering a $55,000 debt load, this is a hard sell. Strayer serves a vital population (60% receive Pell grants), but Maryland families have access to stronger accounting programs that won't leave graduates spending years digging out from under high-interest loans. If your child is set on Strayer for scheduling flexibility or other reasons, push hard for scholarships or consider community college transfer pathways to reduce that debt burden.