<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-18-006822.txt : 20180515
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-18-006822.hdr.sgml : 20180515
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180515184511
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-18-006822
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20180514
FILED AS OF DATE:		20180515
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20180515

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Jones Brian W.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001637296

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21039
		FILM NUMBER:		18838313

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O STRAYER UNIVERSITY
		STREET 2:		2303 DULLES STATION BLVD.
		CITY:			HERNDON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			20171

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STRAYER EDUCATION INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001013934
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-EDUCATIONAL SERVICES [8200]
		IRS NUMBER:				521975978
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2303 DULLES STATION BOULEVARD
		CITY:			HERNDON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			20171
		BUSINESS PHONE:		703-561-1600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2303 DULLES STATION BOULEVARD
		CITY:			HERNDON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			20171
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2018-05-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001013934</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STRAYER EDUCATION INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>STRA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001637296</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Jones Brian W.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2303 DULLES STATION BLVD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HERNDON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20171</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, Strayer University</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2018-05-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3600</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>103.74</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>28510</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Weighted average price, as these shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $103.52 to $104.01, inclusive. The reporting person undertakes to provide to Strayer Education, Inc., any security holder of Strayer Education, Inc., or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price within the ranges set forth in this footnote.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Daniel W. Jackson, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2018-05-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
