Analysis
When graduates of similar HR programs in Wisconsin earn around $54,000 in their first year while carrying roughly $30,000 in debt, they face a manageable 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning they'd owe about half their annual salary. That's better than many bachelor's programs and suggests monthly loan payments that shouldn't overwhelm entry-level HR salaries. Since Herzing's small graduate cohort means the Department of Education suppresses actual outcomes, these figures come from peer programs across Wisconsin, which cluster tightly between $52,000 and $59,000 for first-year earnings.
The estimated debt load sits slightly above both the state median ($28,368) and national median ($26,625) for HR bachelor's programs, which matters at an institution where two-thirds of students receive Pell grants. However, the earnings projection aligns with Wisconsin's state median and exceeds the national median by nearly $4,000, suggesting the local market values HR credentials reasonably well. The real question is whether Herzing's specific program prepares graduates as effectively as established state universities like UW-Oshkosh or private institutions like Concordia, which report actual outcomes in the same earnings range.
Given the estimation uncertainty, your child should connect with recent Herzing HR alumni directly to verify job placement rates and starting salaries before committing. The projected numbers suggest viability, but you're essentially betting on Herzing matching what other Wisconsin programs deliver—without the transparency of reported data to confirm it.
Where Herzing University-Madison Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human resources management and services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Human Resources Management and Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (12 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $13,420 | $54,242* | — | $30,016* | — | |
| $34,250 | $58,982* | $60,257 | $37,050* | 0.63 | |
| $11,982 | $56,465* | $56,152 | $38,233* | 0.68 | |
| $8,212 | $55,263* | $62,039 | $20,000* | 0.36 | |
| $48,700 | $54,242* | $58,898 | —* | — | |
| $8,250 | $52,071* | $59,087 | $25,677* | 0.49 | |
| National Median | — | $50,361* | — | $26,625* | 0.53 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with human resources management and services graduates
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Human Resources Managers
Training and Development Managers
Labor Relations Specialists
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Law Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
Coroners
Regulatory Affairs Specialists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Herzing University-Madison, approximately 67% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.