[1] Strayer established the college to teach business skills to former farm workers,[10] including shorthand, typing and accounting.

In 1904, Strayer opened a branch of the school in Washington, D.C.[1][2][12] Enrollment further expanded as demand for trained accountants grew after the passage of the Revenue Act of 1913 and World War I increased the need for federal government clerks with office skills.

[11] In addition, Strayer began providing training programs in computer information systems for companies including AT&T Corporation and government agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service.

[18][19][20] Since the early 21st century, Strayer has added additional campuses in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Mississippi, New Jersey, Texas, and West Virginia, according to the university's website.

Stallard previously served as dean of the school of continuing and professional studies at the University of Virginia.

[23] In 2010 the U.S. Department of Education, reported that the repayment rate of federal student loans at Strayer University was 25 percent.

[34][35] In July 2013, Strayer University contacted HSI Sterling to report suspicious activity surrounding academic transcripts and coursework.

[38] In October 2013, Strayer initiated a major change in its physical operations by announcing the closure of its 20 Midwest campus locations.

[39][40] In 2015, Brian Jones, who had previously been Strayer University's general counsel, was named its 15th president.

Prior to joining Strayer University, Jones was a lawyer and higher education entrepreneur.

[43][44] In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Strayer temporarily closed all its campuses,[45] and began advertising heavily for people to enroll as remote students.

In May 2023, DevMountain announced an expansion of its in-person coding bootcamps at Strayer University facilities.

[58] More than half of the students enrolled at Strayer University take all of their courses online, and the entire bachelor's and master's degree programs can be completed via the Internet.

[61] Strayer University is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with campus locations mainly in the eastern and southern regions of the U.S.[62] As of 2020[update], it has 64 campuses located in 15 U.S. states and Washington D.C.[6] The admissions requirement for undergraduate degree programs at Strayer University is a high school diploma or its equivalent.

[63] Admissions requirements for the Jack Welch Executive MBA program include a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution in the United States, and 5 years professional experience.

[9] In September 2016, it was announced that the Jack Welch Management Institute was ranked on Princeton Review's list of Top 25 Online MBA Programs of 2017.

[72][73] In 2020, Strayer began offering its Fellows for Justice Program Scholarship, an initiative designed to build leadership skills within students' respective communities.

[14] In 2012, a United States Senate committee reported that, as of 2010, 83 percent of Strayer's 2,471 faculty members were employed part-time, and not required to do research.

[81] According to the College Scorecard, Strayer University's 8-year graduation rate varies from 3% (Arkansas) to 26% (Virginia), depending on the campus.

[46] Notable alumni of Strayer University include: Strategic Education Inc. is a publicly traded corporation, established as a holding company for the college and other assets in 1996.