Accounting at Herzing University-Atlanta

A $27,000 estimated debt load might seem manageable for a bachelor's degree, but the earning power behind it tells a more complicated story. First-year graduates from this program earn $49,538, landing below both the Georgia median for accounting degrees ($50,583) and the national median ($53,694). That $5,000-6,000 gap may look modest, but it matters: Georgia's flagship and major state schools consistently produce accounting graduates earning $54,000-64,000 in their first year. With nearly 70% of students receiving Pell grants, Herzing serves a population that needs every dollar of earning potential.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 sits slightly above what you'd ideally want to see, and earnings growth to $54,212 by year four—just 9% over three years—suggests limited advancement in those early career years. Similar programs in Georgia typically leave graduates with around $26,000 in debt, so the estimated burden here tracks with state norms. The question is whether $49,000 starting salaries justify that investment when larger Georgia institutions with stronger accounting outcomes remain accessible.

For families counting on accounting's reputation as a stable, middle-class profession, this program delivers that stability but not the upside. If your student has admission offers from Georgia's public universities, those would likely provide better returns. If Herzing's flexibility or location works better for your family's situation, the numbers aren't alarming—just understand you're paying market rate for below-market starting earnings.