
Strayer University traces its origins to a business school founded in Baltimore in 1892 by S. Irving Strayer. Its early emphasis on practical business education helps explain its present focus on career-oriented programs for working adults.
The institution later operated as Strayer College before adopting the Strayer University name in 1998. It expanded beyond its original location through campuses and online instruction. Strayer University-Virginia is the Virginia reporting entity associated with the university; historical milestones for the university as a whole should not be mistaken for the founding dates of its Arlington location.
Strayer University offers undergraduate and graduate study concentrated in business, technology, education, and related professional fields. Its academic offerings are organized around areas such as business, information systems and technology, and arts and sciences; the Jack Welch Management Institute is associated with its graduate business offerings.
Examples of fields represented in the university's programs include accounting, business administration, criminal justice, computer and information sciences, and information systems. Credentials and course availability can differ by program and delivery format. An applicant considering Arlington should check the current catalog for the exact degree, required courses, and whether each course is offered in person, online, or in a combination of formats.
Strayer University-Virginia is associated with Arlington, Virginia, in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. For students, the location offers access to a regional job market, but the practical value of a campus location depends on where their particular classes and services take place.
Arlington is an urban-suburban community served by Metrorail, buses, and major roads. Commute time and parking needs can vary considerably across the county. Because Strayer also offers online instruction, applicants should confirm the current address of any required in-person meeting and build their commute around their actual course schedule rather than assuming every class meets in Arlington.
Strayer University describes its educational purpose in terms of making higher education accessible to a diverse student body and preparing students for professional goals. Its programs and delivery options reflect a stated emphasis on adults balancing education with work and other responsibilities.
That mission is an institutional aim, not evidence that a particular schedule, degree, or career outcome will suit every applicant. A useful test is whether the required courses, instructional format, academic support, and total cost match the student's circumstances. The university is a private institution rather than a religiously affiliated college.
Name of the institution
Strayer University-VirginiaLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: MidsizeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
QuartersFoundation year
1862Strayer University-Virginia is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degreeData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.