Business/Commerce at Strayer University-Tennessee

Strayer's Memphis campus charges nearly $33,000 in debt for an associate's degree in business—more than double what students typically borrow nationwide for this credential. That's a significant financial burden, particularly given that 86% of students here receive Pell grants. While graduates do earn $44,154 in their first year (outperforming 95% of similar programs nationally), Tennessee students can find comparable outcomes elsewhere: this program sits at just the 60th percentile within the state, meaning many Tennessee schools deliver similar earnings with substantially less debt.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 tells the practical story. A graduate will owe roughly nine months of their annual salary, compared to the national norm of under four months for associate's business programs. Even with modest 8% earnings growth to $47,516 by year four, that debt load remains challenging. For context, the typical Tennessee business associate program requires $28,000 in borrowing—still high, but notably less than Strayer's price tag.

For families considering this program, the question is straightforward: are you willing to pay a premium price for outcomes you can likely achieve more affordably at other Tennessee institutions? Unless location or scheduling flexibility makes Strayer uniquely accessible, the debt burden here outweighs the earnings advantage. Look closely at community college alternatives that might deliver similar career outcomes at half the cost.