Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Strayer University-Tennessee

Strayer's Memphis IT program achieves something remarkable: graduates start at $61,810—nearly $14,000 above the Tennessee median and $20,000 above the national average for similar associate degrees. That's 95th percentile performance nationally, putting this among the elite IT associate programs in the country. The $28,174 in debt is manageable given those earnings, creating a debt-to-income ratio of just 0.46 that would typically take well under two years of focused repayment.

The concerning element is the earnings trajectory: graduates see a 7% income drop to $57,214 by year four. This could reflect the IT industry's preference for bachelor's degrees in advancement roles, or simply that the strongest initial earners moved on to different paths. However, even that lower figure substantially outpaces the Tennessee median. Serving 86% Pell Grant recipients, Strayer is clearly providing economic mobility for low-income students in ways most Tennessee programs don't match.

For families concerned about associate degree ROI in tech, this program delivers immediate financial results that justify the investment. The earnings decline deserves attention in career planning conversations—your child may need to pursue a bachelor's degree or specialized certifications to maintain upward momentum—but the starting salary creates a solid foundation that few two-year IT programs can match.