Accounting at Strayer University-West Virginia

Strayer's accounting program faces a significant debt problem that overshadows its otherwise reasonable earnings. While graduates earn slightly above West Virginia's state median and rank in the 60th percentile among WV accounting programs, they're carrying nearly $55,000 in debt—more than double what students pay at other West Virginia schools. That debt burden, ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally, means graduates owe roughly their entire first-year salary.

The earnings trajectory shows modest but steady growth, reaching $56,398 by year four, which sits near the national median. However, the math remains challenging: even as income grows 8%, that debt load still requires years of aggressive repayment to clear. Compare this to West Virginia University, where students earn similar amounts ($51,824) but graduate with less than half the debt. The 85% Pell Grant rate suggests Strayer serves a financially vulnerable population who can least afford excessive borrowing.

For parents considering this program, the core issue is clear: you're paying private-school debt for middle-of-the-pack earnings. Unless your child has compelling reasons to choose Strayer specifically, the in-state public options deliver comparable career outcomes at dramatically lower cost. The difference in debt could mean buying a house five years earlier or avoiding financial stress during those crucial early career years.