Accounting at Herzing University-Madison

First-year earnings of $49,538 place this program in the bottom third of accounting degrees nationally and below the median for Wisconsin. When comparable accounting programs in the state—including public universities like UW-Whitewater and UW-La Crosse—produce graduates earning $12,000-$13,000 more annually, the gap is meaningful. At an estimated $27,000 in debt (based on similar Herzing programs in Wisconsin), the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 suggests a manageable loan burden, but the earnings themselves create the real concern. Students here are entering the same job market as UW-Madison grads who earn nearly $20,000 more their first year.

The modest 9% earnings growth to year four doesn't close these gaps. While accounting is generally a stable career path with clear professional credentials that matter more than where you studied, starting $10,000+ behind peers affects your ability to pay down loans, save, and build financial security in those critical early career years. The high Pell grant percentage (67%) means many families here are counting on this degree to change their economic trajectory.

For parents weighing this investment: comparable programs at Wisconsin's public universities deliver significantly stronger earning outcomes at similar or lower debt levels. Without actual graduate data for this specific program, you're betting that Herzing's accounting degree performs differently than what we see from peer schools in the state—and the available evidence doesn't support that hope.