Accounting at Herzing University-Madison

This accounting certificate shows a troubling earnings trajectory that demands attention, despite its relatively manageable debt load. Graduates start at $31,620—right at Wisconsin's median and squarely average nationally—but their earnings drop 16% to $26,473 by year four. That decline is unusual in accounting, where experience typically translates to higher pay, and it raises questions about whether certificate holders face career ceilings or job instability that bachelor's degree holders avoid.

The bright spot is debt: at $24,252, graduates borrow nearly half what the national median certificate program requires, giving them a year-one debt-to-earnings ratio under 0.8. However, compare this to Gateway Technical College's accounting program, where graduates earn $37,881—over $11,000 more annually—with similar debt levels. Among Wisconsin's 23 accounting certificate programs, Herzing-Madison ranks exactly at the 60th percentile, meaning most alternatives perform worse, but several public technical colleges significantly outperform it.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift substantially year to year. For a program serving primarily Pell-eligible students, the declining earnings pattern is particularly concerning—these graduates can least afford to see their incomes shrink. If considering this certificate route, investigate whether graduates are finding full-time accounting positions or getting stuck in clerical roles that don't leverage their training.