Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Herzing University-Birmingham

Herzing University-Birmingham's IT management program graduates enter solid middle-class careers, but they're not breaking ahead of the pack—neither nationally nor within Alabama itself. Starting salaries around $57,000 trail the state median by about $2,500, landing this program in the 40th percentile among Alabama's IT programs. That's functional but unremarkable in a state where the top performer (Columbia Southern) places graduates earning $5,000 more annually.

The debt picture offers more encouraging news. At $42,000, graduates carry significantly more than the national median but less than Alabama's typical IT graduate, who owes $38,000. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73, most graduates should manage repayment on a standard plan, especially with the 10% earnings growth trajectory pushing median pay above $63,000 by year four. The high Pell grant rate (64%) suggests this program serves students who might otherwise lack access to bachelor's-level IT training.

For families considering this program: you're paying near the higher end of Alabama debt loads for middle-of-the-road outcomes. The career path is stable and growing, but if your student can access a comparable program with lower borrowing costs—particularly at an in-state public university—that would strengthen the return on investment. This works best for students who value Herzing's flexible scheduling or career services support enough to accept slightly elevated debt for average IT salaries.