Computer Software and Media Applications at Herzing University-Madison

Is a bachelor's degree in software worth $25,603 in debt when first-year earnings run around $38,234? That's the question facing families considering Herzing-Madison's program. Similar programs nationally suggest this debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67, while manageable on paper, becomes concerning when you notice that comparable Wisconsin programs typically produce first-year earnings closer to $52,718. The nearly $15,000 gap between what peer programs in the state deliver versus what national benchmarks suggest—the latter being what Herzing's outcomes are estimated from—matters considerably when you're making monthly loan payments.

The bigger issue is opportunity cost. UW-Stout and UW-Stevens Point graduates in this field are starting above $50,000 annually with similar debt loads. That's not a minor difference—it's roughly $1,000 more per month in take-home pay during those critical early career years when loan payments feel heaviest. With two-thirds of Herzing students receiving Pell grants, these families likely have less cushion to absorb a slower earnings trajectory.

Before committing, get specific employment outcomes directly from Herzing's admissions office: where do their software graduates actually work, and what do they earn? The estimated figures here are drawn from national peer programs, not Madison-specific results, and given the apparent gap between state and national benchmarks, you need clearer evidence that this particular program delivers Wisconsin-level outcomes rather than national ones.