Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Herzing University-Brookfield

Herzing University-Brookfield's nursing assistant program performs exceptionally well within Wisconsin, ranking in the 80th percentile statewide—significantly ahead of the state's median earnings of $37,000. That $47,310 starting salary translates to nearly $900 per week, strong compensation for a credential requiring less than a year to complete. The debt load of $22,586 is higher than many comparable programs (state median is $12,000), but the 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable, and graduates see meaningful earnings growth to nearly $56,000 by year four.

Context matters here: Wisconsin's practical nursing programs generally produce lower earnings than the national average, making Brookfield's performance particularly noteworthy. The program ties for top earnings in the state alongside Herzing's Madison and Kenosha campuses. With 60% of students receiving Pell grants, this program is clearly serving working-class families and delivering tangible economic mobility—graduates earn enough to service their debt while building toward solid middle-class incomes.

The higher-than-typical debt warrants consideration, especially if your child can access less expensive options at technical colleges. But Brookfield's strong earnings and proven track record (100+ graduates in the dataset) suggest the investment pays off faster than most alternatives in Wisconsin.