<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<linkbase xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" >
<arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
<arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
<arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
<arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
<arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
<arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/notAll" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#notAll"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#UnauditedCondensedconsolidatedstatementsofstockholdersequity" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/UnauditedCondensedconsolidatedstatementsofstockholdersequity"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#Significantaccountingpoliciespolicies" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/Significantaccountingpoliciespolicies"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#Significantaccountingpoliciesdetails" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/Significantaccountingpoliciesdetails"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#Significantaccountingpoliciesdetailstextual" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/Significantaccountingpoliciesdetailstextual"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#PropertyandEquipmentDetails" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentDetails"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#TermLoanandRevolvingCreditFacilityDetails2" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/TermLoanandRevolvingCreditFacilityDetails2"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#Termloanandrevolvingcreditfacilitydetailstextual" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/Termloanandrevolvingcreditfacilitydetailstextual"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#Fairvaluemeasurementdetails" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/Fairvaluemeasurementdetails"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#Fairvaluemeasurementdetails1" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/Fairvaluemeasurementdetails1"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#StockoptionsandrestrictedstockDetails" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/StockoptionsandrestrictedstockDetails"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#StockoptionsandrestrictedstockDetails1" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/StockoptionsandrestrictedstockDetails1"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#Stockoptionsandrestrictedstockdetails2" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/Stockoptionsandrestrictedstockdetails2"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#Stockoptionsandrestrictedstockdetails3" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/Stockoptionsandrestrictedstockdetails3"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#StockoptionsandrestrictedstockDetailsTextual" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/StockoptionsandrestrictedstockDetailsTextual"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#OtherlongtermLiabilitiesDetailsTextual" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/OtherlongtermLiabilitiesDetailsTextual"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#Otheremployeebenefitplansdetailstextual" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/Otheremployeebenefitplansdetailstextual"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#ValuationandQualifyingAccountsDetails" roleURI="http://strayereducation.com/role/ValuationandQualifyingAccountsDetails"/>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/UnauditedCondensedconsolidatedstatementsofstockholdersequity">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_6" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_7" order="30" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_8" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssued" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_9" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_9" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_10" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_10" order="30" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_11" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_11" order="40" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation_12" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation_12" order="50" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxDeficiencyFromShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxDeficiencyFromShareBasedCompensation_13" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxDeficiencyFromShareBasedCompensation_13" order="60" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_14" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_14" order="70" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_15" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_15" order="80" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_16" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_16" order="90" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_17" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_17" order="100" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_18" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_18" order="110" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_19" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_19" order="120" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentForSaleOfSecuritiesIncludedInNetIncomeNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentForSaleOfSecuritiesIncludedInNetIncomeNetOfTax_20" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentForSaleOfSecuritiesIncludedInNetIncomeNetOfTax_20" order="130" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_21" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_21" order="140" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_22" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_22" order="150" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/Significantaccountingpoliciespolicies">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_AccountingStandardsUpdate201108Member" xlink:label="loc_stra_AccountingStandardsUpdate201108Member_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_3" xlink:to="loc_stra_AccountingStandardsUpdate201108Member_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201104Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201104Member_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201104Member_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_AccountingStandardsUpdate201006Member" xlink:label="loc_stra_AccountingStandardsUpdate201006Member_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_3" xlink:to="loc_stra_AccountingStandardsUpdate201006Member_6" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsPolicyPolicyTextBlock" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsPolicyPolicyTextBlock_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsPolicyPolicyTextBlock_7" order="10" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/Significantaccountingpoliciesdetails">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentRestatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentRestatementTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentRestatementTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentRestatementTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestatementAdjustmentMember_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_6" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfServices" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfServices_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfServices_7" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpense_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpense_8" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_AdmissionsAdvisory" xlink:label="loc_stra_AdmissionsAdvisory_9" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_stra_AdmissionsAdvisory_9" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_10" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_10" order="30" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_11" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_11" order="40" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/Significantaccountingpoliciesdetailstextual">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTextualAbstract" xlink:label="loc_stra_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTextualAbstract_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_stra_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTextualAbstract_6" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentEstimatedUsefulLives" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentEstimatedUsefulLives_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTextualAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentEstimatedUsefulLives_7" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_LeaseholdImprovementsLongTermLiabilityAmortizationPeriod" xlink:label="loc_stra_LeaseholdImprovementsLongTermLiabilityAmortizationPeriod_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTextualAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_stra_LeaseholdImprovementsLongTermLiabilityAmortizationPeriod_8" order="10" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentDetails">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_6" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_7" order="30" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_8" order="40" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_9" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_9" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_10" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_10" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_10_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_10_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_11" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_11" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_12" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_12" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract_13" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract_13" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_14" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract_13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_14" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_15" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract_13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_15" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_16" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract_13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_16" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_17" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNetByTypeAbstract_13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_17" order="30" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/TermLoanandRevolvingCreditFacilityDetails2">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_TermLoanFacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_stra_TermLoanFacilityMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_stra_TermLoanFacilityMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtByCurrentAndNoncurrentAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByCurrentAndNoncurrentAbstract_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByCurrentAndNoncurrentAbstract_6" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_Debt" xlink:label="loc_stra_Debt_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByCurrentAndNoncurrentAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_stra_Debt_7" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByCurrentAndNoncurrentAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_8" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_9" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByCurrentAndNoncurrentAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_9" order="20" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/Termloanandrevolvingcreditfacilitydetailstextual">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_TermLoanFacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_stra_TermLoanFacilityMember_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_stra_TermLoanFacilityMember_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_6" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_7" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_7_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_7_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_8" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_LiborMember" xlink:label="loc_stra_LiborMember_9" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_7" xlink:to="loc_stra_LiborMember_9" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_10" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_10" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_11" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_11" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_11_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_11_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_12" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_12" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_13" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_13" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityTextualAbstract" xlink:label="loc_stra_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityTextualAbstract_14" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_stra_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityTextualAbstract_14" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_15" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityTextualAbstract_14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_15" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1_16" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityTextualAbstract_14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1_16" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate_17" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityTextualAbstract_14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate_17" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_18" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityTextualAbstract_14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_18" order="30" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_Debt" xlink:label="loc_stra_Debt_19" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityTextualAbstract_14" xlink:to="loc_stra_Debt_19" order="40" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/Fairvaluemeasurementdetails">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_6" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_7" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_8" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_8_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_8_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_9" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_9" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_10" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_10" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_DeferredPaymentsMember" xlink:label="loc_stra_DeferredPaymentsMember_11" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_8" xlink:to="loc_stra_DeferredPaymentsMember_11" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisAbstract_12" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisAbstract_12" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_13" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisAbstract_12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_13" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_CashEquivalentsFairValueAbstract" xlink:label="loc_stra_CashEquivalentsFairValueAbstract_14" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_13" xlink:to="loc_stra_CashEquivalentsFairValueAbstract_14" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring_15" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_CashEquivalentsFairValueAbstract_14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring_15" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_16" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisAbstract_12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_16" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_OtherLiabilitiesFairValueAbstract" xlink:label="loc_stra_OtherLiabilitiesFairValueAbstract_17" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_16" xlink:to="loc_stra_OtherLiabilitiesFairValueAbstract_17" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureRecurring" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureRecurring_18" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_OtherLiabilitiesFairValueAbstract_17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureRecurring_18" order="0" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/Fairvaluemeasurementdetails1">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_DeferredPaymentsMember" xlink:label="loc_stra_DeferredPaymentsMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_stra_DeferredPaymentsMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue_6" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySettlements" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySettlements_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilitySettlements_7" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityPeriodIncreaseDecrease" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityPeriodIncreaseDecrease_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityPeriodIncreaseDecrease_8" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityTransfersNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityTransfersNet_9" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityTransfersNet_9" order="30" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/StockoptionsandrestrictedstockDetails">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_6" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_7" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_8" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_9" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_9" order="30" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_10" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_10" order="40" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_11" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_11" order="50" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_12" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_12" order="60" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_13" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_13" order="70" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/StockoptionsandrestrictedstockDetails1">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockOptionsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockOptionsMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockOptionsMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_6" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod_7" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_8" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod_9" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod_9" order="30" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_10" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_10" order="40" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_11" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_11" order="50" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_12" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_12" order="60" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_13" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_13" order="70" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_14" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_14" order="80" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_15" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_15" order="90" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_16" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_16" order="100" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_17" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_17" order="110" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue_18" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue_18" order="120" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1_19" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1_19" order="130" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/Stockoptionsandrestrictedstockdetails2">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockOptionsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockOptionsMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockOptionsMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableAbstract" xlink:label="loc_stra_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableAbstract_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_stra_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableAbstract_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableAbstract_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_6" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableAbstract_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_7" order="10" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/Stockoptionsandrestrictedstockdetails3">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsByReportLineAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsByReportLineAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsByReportLineAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsReportLineDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsReportLineDomain_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsByReportLineAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsReportLineDomain_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsReportLineDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsReportLineDomain_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsByReportLineAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsReportLineDomain_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_InstructionAndEducationalSupportMember" xlink:label="loc_stra_InstructionAndEducationalSupportMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsReportLineDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_stra_InstructionAndEducationalSupportMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MarketingExpenseMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketingExpenseMember_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsReportLineDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketingExpenseMember_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_AdmissionsAdvisoryMember" xlink:label="loc_stra_AdmissionsAdvisoryMember_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsReportLineDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_stra_AdmissionsAdvisoryMember_6" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsReportLineDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_7" order="30" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAggregateDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAggregateDisclosuresAbstract_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAggregateDisclosuresAbstract_8" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_9" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAggregateDisclosuresAbstract_8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_9" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_10" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAggregateDisclosuresAbstract_8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_10" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax_11" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAggregateDisclosuresAbstract_8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax_11" order="20" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/StockoptionsandrestrictedstockDetailsTextual">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_8" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis_9" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis_9" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_10" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis_9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_10" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_10_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualShareBasedPaymentsByTypeOfDeferredCompensationAxis_9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_10_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_OneThousandNineHundredAndNinetySixEquityCompensationPlanMember" xlink:label="loc_stra_OneThousandNineHundredAndNinetySixEquityCompensationPlanMember_11" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_10" xlink:to="loc_stra_OneThousandNineHundredAndNinetySixEquityCompensationPlanMember_11" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_TwoThousandAndElevenEquityCompensationPlanMember" xlink:label="loc_stra_TwoThousandAndElevenEquityCompensationPlanMember_12" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfDeferredCompensationDomain_10" xlink:to="loc_stra_TwoThousandAndElevenEquityCompensationPlanMember_12" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_13" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_13" order="30" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_14" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_14" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_14_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_14_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember_15" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ChiefExecutiveOfficerMember_15" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ChiefOperatingOfficerMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChiefOperatingOfficerMember_16" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ChiefOperatingOfficerMember_16" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_StockOptionsAndRestrictedStockTextualAbstract" xlink:label="loc_stra_StockOptionsAndRestrictedStockTextualAbstract_17" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_stra_StockOptionsAndRestrictedStockTextualAbstract_17" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_18" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_StockOptionsAndRestrictedStockTextualAbstract_17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_18" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_19" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_StockOptionsAndRestrictedStockTextualAbstract_17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_19" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_20" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_StockOptionsAndRestrictedStockTextualAbstract_17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_20" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_ClosingPriceOfStockOnDateOfStockGrant" xlink:label="loc_stra_ClosingPriceOfStockOnDateOfStockGrant_21" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_StockOptionsAndRestrictedStockTextualAbstract_17" xlink:to="loc_stra_ClosingPriceOfStockOnDateOfStockGrant_21" order="30" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/OtherlongtermLiabilitiesDetailsTextual">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesLineItems" xlink:label="loc_stra_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_ScheduleOfOtherLongTermLiabilitiesTable" xlink:label="loc_stra_ScheduleOfOtherLongTermLiabilitiesTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_stra_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_stra_ScheduleOfOtherLongTermLiabilitiesTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_stra_ScheduleOfOtherLongTermLiabilitiesTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesTextualAbstract" xlink:label="loc_stra_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesTextualAbstract_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_stra_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesTextualAbstract_6" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_LeaseholdImprovementsLongTermLiabilityAmortizationPeriod" xlink:label="loc_stra_LeaseholdImprovementsLongTermLiabilityAmortizationPeriod_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesTextualAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_stra_LeaseholdImprovementsLongTermLiabilityAmortizationPeriod_7" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionGrossProceeds" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionGrossProceeds_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesTextualAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionGrossProceeds_8" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionLeaseTerms" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionLeaseTerms_9" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesTextualAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionLeaseTerms_9" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionCurrentPeriodGainRecognized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionCurrentPeriodGainRecognized_10" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_OtherLongTermLiabilitiesTextualAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionCurrentPeriodGainRecognized_10" order="30" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/Otheremployeebenefitplansdetailstextual">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_OtherEmployeeBenefitPlansTextualAbstract" xlink:label="loc_stra_OtherEmployeeBenefitPlansTextualAbstract_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_stra_OtherEmployeeBenefitPlansTextualAbstract_6" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_PercentageOfEmployersAdditionalMatchingContributionTowardsPlan" xlink:label="loc_stra_PercentageOfEmployersAdditionalMatchingContributionTowardsPlan_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_stra_OtherEmployeeBenefitPlansTextualAbstract_6" xlink:to="loc_stra_PercentageOfEmployersAdditionalMatchingContributionTowardsPlan_7" order="0" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
<definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://strayereducation.com/role/ValuationandQualifyingAccountsDetails">
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems_0" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable_1" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable_1" order="0" use="optional"  xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis_2" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable_1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis_2" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_3" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_3" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_3_Default" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis_2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_3_Default" order="0" use="optional" />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember_4" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsMember_4" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward_5" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems_0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward_5" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance_6" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance_6" order="0" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense_7" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense_7" order="10" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2012/elts/us-gaap-2012-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions_8" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions_8" order="20" use="optional"  />
<loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="stra-20121231.xsd#stra_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesPercentageOfBadDebtExpenseOnRevenue" xlink:label="loc_stra_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesPercentageOfBadDebtExpenseOnRevenue_9" />
<definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MovementInValuationAllowancesAndReservesRollForward_5" xlink:to="loc_stra_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesPercentageOfBadDebtExpenseOnRevenue_9" order="30" use="optional"  />
</definitionLink>
</linkbase>
