Business/Commerce at Strayer University-Virginia

Strayer University-Virginia's business program delivers strong earnings that place it in the 81st percentile nationally, with graduates earning $55,431 in their first year—well above both the national median ($47,506) and Virginia state median ($51,669) for business programs. However, this performance comes at a steep price: median debt of $56,517 is more than double the national average ($26,000) and significantly higher than Virginia's typical business program debt ($27,000).

The debt burden creates a concerning financial picture. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.02, graduates owe roughly their entire first year's salary—a heavy load that limits financial flexibility early in their careers. While earnings do grow to nearly $60,000 by year four, the 8% growth rate is modest given the high starting debt. Among Virginia's business programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, meaning you're paying premium prices for above-average but not exceptional in-state performance.

For a business degree, this represents a risky investment. The high debt significantly outweighs the earnings advantage, especially when Virginia Commonwealth University delivers similar earnings ($51,669) at roughly half the debt cost. Unless your child has exhausted more affordable options, this program's premium pricing makes it difficult to justify despite its solid earnings outcomes.