Business Administration, Management and Operations at Herzing University-Brookfield

Herzing University-Brookfield's business program faces a significant debt problem that undercuts otherwise solid earnings. While graduates earn $52,469 in their first year—outperforming the national median by 15%—they're carrying nearly $47,000 in debt, roughly double both the national and state medians for this degree. That 0.89 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates are starting with debt nearly equal to their entire first-year salary, which ranks in the worst 5% nationally for debt burden.

The Wisconsin comparison reveals why this matters: Herzing graduates earn essentially the same as the state median ($52,521), landing at the 40th percentile among Wisconsin business programs. Yet they're paying premium prices—$20,000 more in debt than typical Wisconsin business graduates. Several public alternatives like UW-Oshkosh deliver stronger earnings with significantly lower debt loads. The program serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population (60%), making this debt disparity particularly concerning for families counting every dollar.

The modest 6% earnings growth to $55,767 by year four suggests graduates can eventually manage the debt, but the math remains tight. Parents should calculate whether their child could access more affordable options—particularly Wisconsin's public universities—that would deliver comparable or better outcomes without the heavy debt burden. For families who can't or won't access those alternatives, this program works, but the price tag demands serious consideration.