Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Herzing University-Akron

Herzing University-Akron's nursing graduates enter the workforce earning $73,342—well above Ohio's median of $64,169 and nearly $5,000 more than the national benchmark. At 60th percentile statewide, it lands in the upper half of Ohio's 54 nursing programs, though it trails top performers like Hondros and Mercy College by a few thousand dollars. The debt picture is notably attractive: at $31,509, graduates owe about $4,500 more than the Ohio median but carry significantly less than what most private nursing programs charge, putting them in the 12th percentile nationally for debt. For a school serving predominantly Pell-eligible students (78%), this represents solid access to a well-paying credential.

The concern here is the earnings trajectory. Graduates see income drop 9% by year four, falling to $66,789—still respectable but moving in the wrong direction when most careers show growth. This could reflect several factors: shift differentials being replaced by salaried positions, career breaks common in nursing, or graduates changing roles. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 means loans equal about five months of first-year salary, which remains manageable even with declining income.

For parents considering this program, the fundamentals work: strong starting pay, reasonable debt, and training that gets students into a profession with reliable demand. Just understand that the salary peak appears to come early, so banking on steady income growth may not be realistic with this particular cohort's experience.