Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications at Herzing University-Brookfield

Herzing University-Brookfield's networking program sits squarely in the middle of Wisconsin's options, matching the state median for earnings at $43,901. However, graduates here carry notably more debt than their peers—$30,649 versus the Wisconsin median of $22,500. That extra $8,000 in loans is meaningful when nearly all programs in this field deliver similar first-year outcomes. For perspective, Madison Area Technical College graduates earn 49% more while likely paying far less at a public institution.

The program does show two positive signs: earnings grow 14% by year four (reaching nearly $50,000), and the debt remains manageable at 0.70 times first-year income—better than many associate programs. With 60% of students receiving Pell grants, Herzing serves working-class students who may value the school's high acceptance rate and flexible scheduling over pure cost efficiency.

The calculation is straightforward: you'll get a legitimate networking credential that leads to steady employment, but you'll pay a premium for it compared to Wisconsin's technical colleges. If your child needs the accessibility that Herzing provides, the debt load is workable. If they can navigate a technical college system, those schools deliver comparable or better outcomes at lower cost.