Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Strayer University-West Virginia

Strayer's West Virginia campus produces IT associate degree graduates who earn $61,810 in their first year—nearly 50% more than the typical program nationally and 54% above what other West Virginia IT programs deliver. That first-year performance places graduates in the 95th percentile both nationally and statewide, a remarkable showing for a school serving predominantly Pell Grant recipients.

The tradeoff comes in two forms. First, while the $28,174 debt load is manageable against that first-year salary (0.46 ratio), it's notably higher than West Virginia's typical $16,399 for this degree. More concerning is the earnings trajectory: median income drops to $57,214 by year four, a 7% decline that's unusual for technology roles. This could reflect graduates moving to lower-cost-of-living areas, switching to less lucrative tech positions, or employment instability, but without additional data it's difficult to pinpoint the cause.

For families deciding between this program and cheaper in-state alternatives, the calculation is straightforward: you're paying about $12,000 extra in debt for access to substantially higher-paying opportunities immediately after graduation. If your student can leverage that strong first-year earning power to aggressively pay down loans, the premium may prove worthwhile. But the moderate sample size and declining income pattern mean this isn't risk-free—it's a bet on converting that initial career momentum into long-term stability.