Accounting at Strayer University-West Virginia

Borrowing nearly $24,000 for an associate's degree in accounting raises immediate questions about return on investment, particularly when similar programs across West Virginia typically saddle graduates with $15,693 in debt—$8,000 less. While national data suggest first-year earnings around $37,000 for this credential, Strayer's four-year outcomes ($45,993) align with what you'd expect from the field. The debt load isn't catastrophic—the ratio of 0.64 means graduates would owe roughly eight months of their first year's salary—but it's notably higher than peer programs in the state without evidence of meaningfully better outcomes.

The 85% Pell grant population suggests Strayer serves students with limited financial resources, making that extra $8,000 in debt more consequential. Comparable associate's programs in West Virginia range from $31,860 to $42,509 in earnings, and Strayer's estimated outcomes fall squarely in that middle ground. Accounting offers stable employment prospects, and the four-year earnings show decent progression, but there's nothing here that justifies the premium debt load.

If your child is set on Strayer, push hard on financial aid and scholarships to close that gap with state norms. Otherwise, exploring other West Virginia accounting programs—particularly community colleges with lower debt profiles—would likely deliver similar career outcomes without the extra financial burden.