Accounting at Strayer University-South Carolina

Strayer's accounting graduates in South Carolina earn right at the state median ($52,373), which lands them in the 60th percentile among SC programs—above average locally, though they trail the state's top programs by $3,000-$7,000. The real concern is the debt load: at nearly $55,000, it's more than double what accounting graduates typically carry nationally and roughly double the SC state median. That puts Strayer in the 5th percentile for debt nationwide, meaning 95% of accounting programs saddle students with less debt.

For a family evaluating this program, that debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.05 means your child would graduate owing more than their first year's salary—manageable for accounting's stable job market, but far from ideal. The 79% Pell Grant rate suggests Strayer serves students who may have fewer financial safety nets, making that debt burden particularly heavy. Earnings do grow to $56,398 by year four, showing steady progression, but starting $7,000 behind University of South Carolina grads makes catch-up difficult.

If your child has admission offers from USC-Columbia or Clemson with comparable financial aid packages, those would be stronger choices. But if Strayer offers significantly better financial aid or scheduling flexibility critical to degree completion, the solid earnings trajectory—even with high debt—beats not finishing a degree at all. Just ensure the total debt doesn't exceed that first-year salary figure.