Accounting at Strayer University-Tennessee

Strayer's accounting program in Tennessee puts graduates ahead of the state median while carrying significantly more debt than typical programs. First-year earnings of $52,373 place this program in the 60th percentile among Tennessee accounting programs—solid middle-of-the-pack performance—but the $54,989 in median debt is more than double the state's typical $23,250. That debt load nearly equals first-year earnings, creating a tight financial picture in those early career years.

The positive signal here is steady earnings growth to $56,398 by year four, and the program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (86%), suggesting it's providing access to accounting careers for students who might otherwise struggle to break into the field. The earnings trajectory is respectable, outpacing several established Tennessee universities including University of Memphis.

For families weighing this option, the central question is whether the debt premium is justified by the outcomes. You're paying roughly $30,000 more in debt than the state average to land in the middle of Tennessee's accounting earnings distribution. If alternative in-state options like Tennessee State or UT-Knoxville are accessible—which carry similar or better earnings with far less debt—those would be financially safer bets. But if this represents the most viable path to a bachelor's degree in accounting, graduates do reach competitive salary levels within four years, making the debt serviceable rather than overwhelming.