Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Strayer University-South Carolina

Strayer's IT management program produces first-year earnings that crush the national average by nearly 50%—$61,810 versus $41,752 nationally—though it comes at a premium price with debt nearly $7,000 above the national norm. Among South Carolina's limited pool of associate programs in this field, graduates land solidly at the median, suggesting the local tech job market, not Strayer specifically, drives much of the earnings advantage. For context, you're in the 95th percentile nationally but 60th percentile within the state.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 remains manageable, meaning students could theoretically pay off their loans in roughly six months of gross income. However, the 7% earnings decline between years one and four deserves attention—this backward trajectory is unusual for tech credentials and might indicate graduates are starting in higher-paying contract roles that don't lead to sustained career growth. With 79% of students receiving Pell grants, this is clearly serving a population that needs the credential to pay off quickly.

For families focused purely on ROI, this program delivers strong immediate returns that justify the higher debt load, but the earnings decline suggests you'll want to ensure your student has a plan to translate that associate degree into upward mobility—whether through bachelor's completion or strategic job-hopping—rather than assuming income will naturally increase over time.