Business Administration, Management and Operations at Strayer University-North Carolina

When comparable business administration programs in North Carolina produce median first-year earnings of $35,246, that's roughly what you'd expect here—though several community colleges in the state report significantly better outcomes, with graduates at places like Catawba Valley CC earning over $41,000. The estimated $25,555 in debt tells a different story. That figure, derived from similar Strayer programs nationally, sits notably above both the state median ($21,532) and especially the national benchmark ($13,980) for this credential. With 80% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are starting with limited financial cushion.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73 means roughly nine months of gross income to cover the debt—manageable on paper, but tight when you're actually living on $35,000 annually. By year four, earnings do climb to $42,552, which helps, but that initial debt burden remains steep compared to what community colleges in the region typically charge for the same associate's degree.

Here's the practical question: if comparable business programs exist at nearby community colleges with lower debt loads and some with stronger earning outcomes, what specifically does Strayer offer that justifies the premium? Without actual graduate data from this campus, you're making that judgment based on assumptions about institutional value rather than concrete evidence of how this particular program performs for its students.