Strayer University-Virginia
Strayer University-Virginia — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Strayer University-Virginia at a Glance
Strayer University is a private for-profit university headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1892 as Strayer's Business College and later became Strayer College, before being granted university status in 1998.
Is Strayer University-Virginia Worth It?
At a value score of 14/100, Strayer University-Virginia is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $40,092 — 25% below average — while paying $19,578/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 27% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With median debt of $40,621 representing 101% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Strayer University-Virginia has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Strayer University-Virginia compares to peer for-profit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #18 of 31 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Strayer University-Florida | 62 | $16,064 | $40,092 |
| #2 | Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology | 39 | $21,276 | $47,792 |
| #3 | West Virginia Junior College-Morgantown | 34 | $15,520 | $31,912 |
| #4 | Plaza College | 26 | $19,860 | $31,519 |
| #5 | Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | 24 | $29,776 | $49,944 |
| #6 | Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe | 24 | $31,681 | $34,657 |
| #18 | Strayer University-Virginia | 14 | $19,578 | $40,092 |
Peer group: for-profit colleges within ±60% of Strayer University-Virginia's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Strayer University-Virginia
The highest-earning program at Strayer University-Virginia is Information Science/Studies at $61,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $37,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Information Science/Studies graduate from Strayer University-Virginia earns $61,000, while a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate earns $37,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Information Science/Studies graduates carry $41,042 in median debt vs. $37,500 for Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $19,578/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Science/Studies | $61,000 | $61,000 | $41,042 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $56,200 | $56,200 | $34,625 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $49,000 | $49,000 | $38,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $41,500 | $41,500 | $40,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $37,000 | $37,000 | $37,500 |
Similar Colleges in VA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- for-profit
- Location
- Arlington, VA
- Student Body
- 1,668 students
- Graduation Rate
- 27%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $19,578
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,092
- Median Student Debt
- $40,621