Business/Commerce at Strayer University-South Carolina

Strayer's business associate degree produces unusually strong earnings—$44,154 in the first year ranks in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile within South Carolina. That's roughly $8,000 more than the typical SC business associate graduate earns and $7,500 above the national median. Graduates even out-earn peers from top South Carolina technical colleges by substantial margins.

The challenge is price. At $32,810, debt loads run more than double South Carolina's median ($26,324) and nearly 2.5 times the national average for this degree. That said, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 remains manageable—graduates earn enough in year one to cover their debt in under a year. Earnings also grow steadily to $47,516 by year four, suggesting the credential maintains its value. Given that 79% of students receive Pell grants, this program appears to serve predominantly working-class students who need credentials that translate directly to higher wages.

For families weighing cost against outcomes, this represents a deliberate tradeoff: significantly higher debt in exchange for earnings that consistently outpace peers. If your student needs to work immediately after graduation and values proven income potential over minimizing loans, Strayer's track record justifies the premium. But students who qualify for lower-cost technical colleges should carefully compare whether the earnings advantage—roughly $7,500 annually—offsets the $6,500 additional debt burden.