Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Herzing University-Madison

This Herzing University-Madison nursing program delivers strong initial earnings but comes with a concerning caveat: graduates actually earn less four years out than they do in their first year. Starting salaries of $75,774 beat both the Wisconsin median ($72,463) and rank in the 60th percentile statewide, putting it among the better-performing nursing programs in the state alongside UW-Madison.

However, the program's defining characteristic is troubling—earnings drop 7% by year four, falling to $70,560. This "early peak" pattern is unusual for nursing, where salaries typically grow with experience. The debt load of $43,985 is significantly higher than both state and national medians of $27,000, though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 remains manageable given the strong starting salary.

For anxious parents, this program offers solid immediate job prospects and competitive starting pay in Wisconsin's nursing market. But the earnings decline raises questions about career trajectory and whether the premium debt load is justified. With 67% of students receiving Pell grants and a 94% admission rate, this appears to serve students who need accessible pathways into nursing. The numbers suggest graduates can handle the debt initially, but the earning potential may plateau earlier than at other programs.