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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950172-04-002956.txt : 20041213
<SEC-HEADER>0000950172-04-002956.hdr.sgml : 20041213
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041213173415
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950172-04-002956
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041209
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041213
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041213

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:		1100 WILSON BLVD., SUITE 2500
		CITY:			ARLINGTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			22209
		BUSINESS PHONE:		703-247-2500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1100 WILSON BLVD., SUITE 2500
		CITY:			ARLINGTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			22209

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KLINSKY STEVEN B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001018327

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21039
		FILM NUMBER:		041199691

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O WARGO & CO
		STREET 2:		712 5TH AVE 23RD FL
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10019
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127200300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O STRAYER EDUCATION
		STREET 2:		712 5TH AVE 23RD FL
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10019
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-09</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001018327</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KLINSKY STEVEN B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O STRAYER EDUCATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>712 5TH AVE 23RD FL</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>450000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>112.94</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1192120</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On December 9, 2004, New Mountain Partners, L.P. (&quot;New Mountain&quot;) sold 450,000 shares of Common Stock in a transaction with Credit Suisse First Boston LLC in reliance on Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as amended, at a per share price of $112.94.  As a result of this transaction, the Reporting Person will no longer be a 10% owner of Common Stock, but will continue to be subject to Section 16 due to his being a director of Strayer Education, Inc.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Reporting Person is the sole member of New Mountain GP, LLC, which is the General Partner of New Mountain Investments, L.P., which is the General Partner of New Mountain.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Steven B. Klinsky</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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