Business Administration, Management and Operations at Herzing University-Kenosha

Herzing University-Kenosha produces a puzzling contradiction: graduates earn well above the national average for business degrees, landing in the 74th percentile nationwide, yet the program sits squarely at Wisconsin's median—and carries debt nearly double what most Wisconsin business graduates take on. While first-year earnings of $52,469 look strong compared to the $45,703 national median, they're unremarkable in Wisconsin where public universities like UW-Oshkosh deliver similar outcomes with half the debt burden.

The debt picture demands attention. At $46,792, graduates owe nearly $20,000 more than Wisconsin's typical business graduate, putting this program in the 95th percentile for debt nationally—meaning only 5% of business programs nationwide saddle students with more borrowing. The 0.89 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it means nearly a full year's salary in loans, and modest 6% earnings growth over four years offers limited relief. With 62% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are taking on substantial debt for outcomes readily available elsewhere in the state.

For Wisconsin residents, this is a tough sell. The premium Herzing charges doesn't translate to a premium salary—you're paying private school debt for middle-of-the-pack Wisconsin earnings. Unless location or program flexibility makes Herzing uniquely accessible, Wisconsin's public options deliver comparable career starts with substantially less financial stress.