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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2000
In History
More businesses require their employees to have bachelor degrees.
Bryant & Stratton College Milestone
Bryant & Stratton College offers bachelor’s degree programs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2024
Bryant & Stratton College Milestone
Bryant & Stratton College celebrates its 170-year anniversary.