Accounting at Herzing University-Brookfield

The most concerning aspect here isn't the $24,252 in debt—it's what happens after graduation. Graduates earn $31,620 in year one (matching Wisconsin's median) but see their income drop to $26,473 by year four. That's a 16% decline when earnings should typically be rising, and it matters because you're still paying off that debt during those years.

Among Wisconsin's 23 accounting certificate programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack. But compare those year-four earnings to the state's top performers: Gateway Technical College graduates earn $37,881, and Rasmussen Wisconsin hits $47,506. The debt load here is actually higher than the state median ($14,856), creating a squeeze where you're paying more to earn less over time.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual circumstances could be skewing these numbers significantly. But even accounting for statistical noise, the direction is troubling. If your child is pursuing accounting credentials, Wisconsin has several technical colleges where graduates take on similar or less debt and see their earnings grow rather than shrink. The 91% admission rate and 60% Pell grant rate suggest Herzing serves students who may have fewer options, but accessibility shouldn't mean accepting backward financial trajectory. Look closely at the technical college alternatives before committing here.