Criminal Justice and Corrections at Herzing University-Madison

With two-thirds of students receiving Pell grants, Herzing's criminal justice program serves a predominantly working-class population that needs clear earnings trajectories. The estimated debt of $18,188 sits above both state and national medians for this field, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 remains manageable. More concerning is that first-year earnings among comparable programs in Wisconsin—estimated at $39,298—lag behind the state's top performers by $12,000 or more. Technical colleges like Southwest Wisconsin and Rasmussen consistently place graduates into positions earning in the mid-to-upper $40,000s right away.

The four-year earnings figure of $50,132 offers some reassurance about growth potential, suggesting graduates do find their footing in the field over time. However, that's still below what top Wisconsin programs deliver in year one, meaning students here are playing catch-up. For families weighing this investment, the question becomes whether starting further behind—while carrying slightly higher debt—makes financial sense when stronger-performing programs are available across the state.

If your child is committed to Herzing for reasons like location or scheduling flexibility, understand they'll likely need 3-4 years to reach earnings levels others achieve immediately. The debt won't sink them, but shopping among Wisconsin's technical colleges could deliver better value from day one.