Historical collage of diverse people working in technology, computing, and education settings, spanning several decades.
A collage of historical images featuring office workers at desks, early computers, and a vintage building.

History

Celebrating 170 years and generations of graduates.

Your Success Is Our Legacy

For 170 years, Bryant & Stratton College has been meeting students where they are and helping them get ahead.

Since 1854, we’ve been committed to providing students with a personalized, career-focused education that empowers them to succeed in a changing world.

Our legacy is built on the success of our students. As we proudly celebrate this milestone, we honor our generations of graduates and remain committed to the principles that have guided us from the beginning.

Our History

Founded in 1854, Bryant & Stratton College is one of the nation’s pioneers in career-focused education. Over our 170-year history, B&SC has continuously innovated and adapted, introducing new curricula, teaching methodologies, and ways of learning to better serve its students and meet the changing demands of the workplace. While much has changed over our history, our mission and commitment remain the same, to provide students with a personalized education experience and the practical knowledge and skills needed for career success.

Historic black-and-white photo of a four-story brick building with ground-floor shops and businesses in an urban area.

1854

In History

People who want to be in business rely on apprenticeships that were often hard to find.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College is founded.

Brothers Dr. John Collins Bryant and Henry Beadman Bryant and their brother-in-law Henry Dwight Stratton found the Bryant & Stratton National Business College in Buffalo, NY to help solve the lack of business training problem.

A vintage photo of a group of people in a classroom practicing shorthand and dictation with books and papers.

1855

In History

Lucy Stone becomes the first woman on record to keep her own name after marriage.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College is an early advocate of women’s rights, creating a “ladies department” for women students.

A vintage illustration of a busy bank interior with clerks at counters assisting customers under a high, decorated ceiling.

1858

In History

The first transatlantic cable was laid, allowing American businesses to expand further than ever before. As businesses grow, owners need capable, well-educated managers who don’t need apprenticeship training.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College offers what it calls “the only completely practical bookkeeping course in the world” to teach business in the classroom and provide workers for the nation. It trains its students using mock stores, banks, and insurance companies.

Illustration of a man with a beard and mustache, facing left, drawn in shades of purple.

1860

In History

Amos Dean is the founder of the oldest independent law school in the country and is considered one of the smartest legal authorities of the day.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College hires Amos Dean to write its business law books for students.

A line of African American Civil War soldiers in uniform, holding rifles and standing at attention.

1865

In History

The Civil War ends and many soldiers use their muster-out pay to learn new careers in business.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College encourages newly returning soldiers to attend its school advertising that “business is the battle of peace.”

Black-and-white drawing of a multi-story building with an American flag, labeled as The Bryant & Stratton Business College.

1889

In History

The country is growing — more states are added to the Union than at any other time since the original 13 colonies.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College is one of the first colleges in the country to offer a “correspondence education.”

Four men conducting experiments at lab tables near large windows, adjusting scientific equipment and taking notes.

1910

In History

More and more homes in the U.S. are being wired for electrical power.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Students of Bryant & Stratton College learn technology in the classroom and labs using the power of electricity.

People read books at tables in a quiet library with rows of bookshelves in the background.

1940

In History

NY is the most populous U.S. state.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College graduates use its free job placement services to find employment with area industrial leaders.

Three people observe a woman typing on a typewriter in a classroom with a large keyboard chart on the wall.

1950

In History

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, secretarial positions are the most common jobs held by women in the 50’s.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College trains women in typing, bookkeeping, dictation, and other fundamentals of the profession, using a combination of in-class instruction and hands-on training in its business labs.

A group of men in suits watch a woman operate a large office machine in a black-and-white photo.

1960

In History

Data processing systems become an important part of the contemporary business world.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College trains its students on data processors to prepare them for the modern-day office environment and ensure their employability.

A group of four young adults study and chat outside near a large metal sculpture and buildings in the background.

1970

In History

Medical advances include discoveries about cholesterol and heart disease and the development of the first positron emission tomography (PET) scan machine.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College develops a medical secretary program to keep up with the demand for jobs in the healthcare field.

Two green brochures titled "Bryant & Stratton Buffalo 1981-1982 Bulletin" and "Evening and Continuing Education Buffalo 1984-1985 Catalog".

1980

In History

A major shift in U.S. education trends brings about reforms designed to instill standards-based education that can yield measurable, high-quality results across the country.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College adopts a Performance Based Learning model for its curricula. Students must demonstrate proficiency in one subject area before moving on to the next.

Three scientists in lab coats working together on an experiment with medical equipment in a laboratory.

1994

In History

The School to Work Opportunities Act of 1994 is passed to address a national skills shortage. Health services add some 2.5 million jobs to the U.S. economy.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College adds programs for the growing field of healthcare such as medical assistant training.

Five people gathered around a computer, looking at the screen together in a professional setting.

1997

In History

Students across the country seek options in the mixed learning programs and online education.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College Online Education is launched through the Southtowns (Orchard Park, NY) Campus.

A diploma from Bryant & Stratton College in Cleveland, Ohio for a degree in Electronic Engineering Technology.

2000

In History

More businesses require their employees to have bachelor degrees.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College offers bachelor’s degree programs.

CHEA logo with blue letters on a white background.

2002

In History

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation revamps its process of external quality review.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College receives regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an Institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

A woman in a server room works on a laptop, surrounded by racks of servers and colorful network cables.

2006

In History

Job openings for IT graduates reach their highest point ever.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College adds programs in Information Technology, in addition to Human Resources and Criminal Justice.

A nurse in blue scrubs with a stethoscope comforts an elderly patient by gently holding their shoulder.

2013

In History

According to the 2013 Survey of Registered Nurses, 187,200 RNs age 55+ will retire or switch to non-nursing jobs in the near future, likely opening up opportunities for new nurses.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

In addition to the existing Associate Degrees in Nursing, Bryant & Stratton College begins offering RN to BSN and Bachelor of Science Nursing Generalist programs to help keep up with nursing demand.

A smiling woman with blonde hair takes notes during a class, sitting among other focused students in a classroom.

2014

In History

Busy and diverse student populations look for ways to turn real-world learning into college credit and continue their education while working.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College gives eligible students credit for prior learning through assessment exams. Online and classroom courses are available as well as hybrid learning, which combines the best of both worlds.

Text logo that reads "Career Life Prep" with "Career" in a cursive font and "Life Prep" in a bold sans-serif font.

2016

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

With Career LifePrep, Bryant & Stratton College has a unique set of experiences that assist students in preparing for a fulfilling career and life, both in school and beyond. We know that a college degree doesn’t just lead to a better job or a better salary, it leads to a better life.

A team of focused young gamers in headsets playing video games on computers in a dimly lit room.

2019

In History

The eSports industry exceeds $1 billion in revenues for the first time.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College offers esports at the Hampton, VA Campus with a 500-square foot esports lab.

Woman wearing headphones, smiling, and taking notes during a video conference on a laptop at a home office desk.

2020

In History

The COVID-19 pandemic forces most colleges to shift classes to remote delivery and shut down the majority of on-campus activities.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College introduces Live Remote Learning, simulating a campus environment supported by robust, real-time video interactions online with no live on-campus time required.

A college soccer team celebrates winning the national championship, holding medals, a trophy, and a championship banner.

2021

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

B&SC Syracuse Men’s Soccer captures back-to-back USCAA National Championships.

B&SC Women’s Soccer captures first USCAA National Championship.

Smiling person in a green jacket carrying a brown bag, with "Built different. for you." text overlay, in a casual work setting.

2023

In History

An AAC&U (American Association of Colleges & Universities) survey reports that 8 out of 10 employers agree either strongly or somewhat that higher education prepares graduates to succeed in the workforce and that getting a college degree is worthwhile.

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College launches “Built different. For You.” campaign highlighting its career-focused programs, convenient class options, and commitment to student success.

 

Bryant & Stratton College 170 Years Logo

2024

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College celebrates its 170-year anniversary.

A badge reads "America's Top Online Colleges 2025" with a red banner across the bottom displaying "Newsweek" and the logo for "statista" underneath. The design features stars and a blue and gold color scheme.

2025

Bryant & Stratton College Milestone

Bryant & Stratton College is named one of America’s Top Online Colleges in 2025.