Location: Arlington, VA•In-State Tuition: $13,920
Median Earnings (1yr)
$71,167
75th percentile
60th percentile in Virginia
Median Debt
$53,250
107% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.75 ManageableSample: 263 graduates

Analysis

Strayer's Information Science program charges a steep premium—graduates carry more than double the national median debt for this field. The question is whether $53,250 in loans is justified by the earnings outcomes.

The earnings tell a complicated story. At $71,167 in year one, graduates match the 75th percentile nationally and outpace the Virginia median by over $12,000. However, within Virginia's competitive landscape, this places them solidly middle-of-the-pack—behind James Madison and VCU, but well ahead of programs like Radford. The 60th percentile state ranking suggests respectable but not exceptional performance for Virginia. Growth to $78,793 by year four shows steady progression, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75—manageable but requiring discipline, especially for the 55% of students receiving Pell grants who may have additional financial constraints.

The core tension here is paying private school prices for public school outcomes. You're getting solid mid-career positioning in Virginia's tech corridor, but competitors like VCU deliver comparable results with significantly less debt burden. This could work for students who need Strayer's flexible scheduling or online options, but families should run the numbers carefully against in-state alternatives that offer similar career trajectories without the debt penalty.

Where Strayer University-Virginia Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all information science/studies bachelors's programs nationally

Strayer University-VirginiaOther information science/studies programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Strayer University-Virginia graduates compare to all programs nationally

Strayer University-Virginia earns $71k — 75th percentile among information science/studies bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Strayer University-Virginia$71,167$78,793+11%
James Madison University$80,173$97,364+21%
Christopher Newport University$58,550$74,728+28%
Virginia Commonwealth University$62,116$73,990+19%
Radford University$46,446$71,208+53%

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Information Science/Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (12 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Strayer University-VirginiaArlington$13,920$71,167$78,793$53,2500.75
James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg$13,576$80,173$97,364$21,0250.26
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond$16,458$62,116$73,990$24,3640.39
Christopher Newport UniversityNewport News$16,351$58,550$74,728$26,0000.44
Radford UniversityRadford$12,286$46,446$71,208——
South University-RichmondGlen Allen$18,238$44,682$60,708$52,1731.17
National Median—$58,651—$25,7500.44

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with information science/studies graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web and Digital Interface Designers

Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Video Game Designers

Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Occupations, All Other

All computer occupations not listed separately.

Web Administrators

Manage web environment design, deployment, development and maintenance activities. Perform testing and quality assurance of web sites and web applications.

Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians

Assist scientists or related professionals in building, maintaining, modifying, or using geographic information systems (GIS) databases. May also perform some custom application development or provide user support.

Document Management Specialists

Implement and administer enterprise-wide document management systems and related procedures that allow organizations to capture, store, retrieve, share, and destroy electronic records and documents.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Strayer University-Virginia, approximately 55% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 263 graduates with reported earnings and 338 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.