Strayer University-Arkansas

Key Highlights

• Dedicated to academic excellence
• Mid-size city location with balance of urban amenities
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Students at the Little Rock campus typically arrive from across central Arkansas, their lives already full with work, families, and community responsibilities. The average student age exceeds thirty, and many bring decades of professional experience that enriches classroom discussions. Military veterans, career changers, and working parents all find themselves among peers facing similar challenges. Peer connections form through shared coursework rather than residential proximity or campus activities. Study groups organized around specific classes bring students together for exam preparation and project collaboration. Online discussion boards extend these interactions beyond face-to-face sessions, allowing continued engagement between campus visits. Academic support services recognize that adult learners sometimes need refreshers on skills they have not used since high school. Math review sessions help students approaching accounting or statistics after years away from equations. Writing workshops address the expectations of college-level papers for students whose jobs have not required extended writing. Career services take on different dimensions when most students already work. Advancement within current employers motivates many students, and career counselors help position degree progress for promotion consideration. Resume workshops and interview coaching serve students seeking new positions or career changes. The university's national presence means connections exist with employers across the country, not just in Arkansas. Personal circumstances sometimes interrupt studies, and the university maintains policies allowing students to pause and return without starting over. Life happens, and the institutional structure acknowledges that adults face challenges that traditional students typically do not.

Location & Surroundings

The Little Rock campus operates as a commuter facility where students arrive for classes and leave afterward, a model that suits the working adult population the university serves. The campus occupies modern office space in the western part of Little Rock, near the intersection of major highways that make it accessible from across central Arkansas. Student services focus on academic support rather than traditional campus activities. Tutoring sessions help students struggling with coursework, and writing assistance addresses the papers and projects required across programs. Academic advisors maintain regular contact with students, helping them select courses that fit both degree requirements and personal schedules. Computer labs provide access to technology for students who lack equipment at home or prefer working in a dedicated space. The library offers research databases and reference materials that support coursework across all programs. Study rooms allow small groups to work on projects together between or after classes. Networking happens more informally than at residential campuses. Students often find themselves in classes with people from their industries or professions, creating connections that prove valuable professionally. Faculty members who work in the fields they teach provide another networking avenue, sometimes helping students find job opportunities or advance in current positions. The lack of traditional campus life suits students who already have full lives outside school. They are not looking for dormitories, sports teams, or student organizations. They want credentials that improve their career prospects, delivered in formats that acknowledge their existing commitments.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Tuition at Strayer University runs approximately $1,400 per course, with most degree programs requiring around 45 courses for completion. Total degree costs can reach $60,000 or more, significantly higher than public community colleges or state universities. The university argues that convenience, flexibility, and career relevance justify premium pricing, though critics question whether outcomes support these costs. Federal financial aid programs apply at Strayer as they do at nonprofit institutions. Pell Grants provide need-based funding that does not require repayment. Federal student loans offer borrowed funds at regulated interest rates with income-driven repayment options. Veterans can apply GI Bill benefits toward tuition, and the university participates in military tuition assistance programs. Employer tuition reimbursement represents a major funding source for many students. Companies seeking to develop employee skills often pay partial or full tuition for relevant degree programs. The business-focused curriculum at Strayer aligns with what employers want to subsidize, and the university works with human resources departments to facilitate reimbursement processing. Strayer offers its own scholarship and grant programs that reduce out-of-pocket costs for qualifying students. The Strayer University Grant provides percentage reductions on tuition for students who qualify. Graduation Fund programs reduce final-year tuition for students maintaining satisfactory progress. Students should carefully consider total costs and likely outcomes before borrowing heavily for education. Completion rates and post-graduation earnings vary, and the investment makes more sense for some students and programs than others. Financial aid counselors at the university and independent advisors can help prospective students think through the mathematics of educational investment.

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