Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Herzing University-Brookfield

Herzing University-Brookfield's nursing program delivers strong initial earnings but raises concerns about long-term career trajectory. Graduates earn $75,774 in their first year—above both national ($74,888) and Wisconsin ($72,463) medians, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. However, earnings actually decline to $70,560 by year four, a troubling 7% drop that suggests limited career advancement opportunities compared to other programs where nurses typically see steady growth.

The debt picture is notably positive. At $43,985, graduates carry significantly more debt than the typical nursing program nationally and in Wisconsin (both $27,000), but this higher borrowing is largely offset by strong initial earnings. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 remains manageable, and the program ranks in just the 5th percentile for debt nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with more debt.

Despite the earnings decline over time, this program performs competitively within Wisconsin's nursing landscape, essentially tied for second-best initial earnings among major programs. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence in these outcomes. For families prioritizing immediate employability and reasonable debt levels, this program delivers, but the earnings plateau suggests graduates may need to be proactive about pursuing additional certifications or career advancement to maximize long-term earning potential.