Business Administration, Management and Operations at Herzing University-Madison

Herzing University-Madison's business program delivers earnings that beat the national average but lag significantly behind most Wisconsin alternatives—a crucial distinction for in-state families. While first-year earnings of $52,469 rank in the 74th percentile nationally, they place in just the 40th percentile among Wisconsin business programs. That means roughly six out of ten comparable programs in-state produce better outcomes. For context, UW-Madison graduates earn $67,699, and even Rasmussen—another accessible option—reaches nearly $60,000.

The debt burden compounds this concern. At $46,792, graduates carry nearly double the national median for business programs and 73% more than the typical Wisconsin graduate. This debt load ranks in the bottom 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of business programs nationwide send students out with less debt. The resulting debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.89 means graduates owe roughly 11 months of their first-year salary, which stretches repayment timelines considerably.

For families prioritizing accessibility—Herzing admits 94% of applicants and serves a predominantly Pell-eligible population—this program provides a pathway to above-average national earnings. But Wisconsin families should carefully compare costs against state universities and technical colleges, where similar or better earnings often come with substantially less debt. The math works better if significant scholarship aid brings that $46,792 figure down meaningfully.