Information Science/Studies at Strayer University-Maryland

Strayer's Information Science program produces strong earnings—graduates match the national 75th percentile at $71,167 within a year—but that success comes at a steep price. The median debt of $53,250 is more than double both the national median ($25,750) and Maryland's state median ($24,125) for this degree. Among Maryland's 15 programs, Strayer ranks 60th percentile for earnings but sits near the bottom for debt levels. University of Maryland Global Campus delivers nearly identical first-year earnings ($72,140) with presumably lower debt for in-state students, while UMD-College Park produces comparable outcomes ($70,344) at a fraction of the cost.

The debt burden here matters because 60% of students receive Pell grants, indicating families with genuine financial constraints. While earnings do grow 11% to nearly $79,000 by year four, that trajectory doesn't change the fundamental math: graduates are carrying roughly $30,000 more debt than peers at comparable Maryland programs who earn similar salaries. The 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it means years of higher monthly payments that could otherwise go toward retirement savings or a down payment.

If your child has admission offers from UMD Global Campus or College Park, the financial case for Strayer becomes difficult to justify. The program does deliver results for working adults who need flexibility, but make certain those earnings projections align with your family's specific financial reality before taking on this debt load.