Accounting at Herzing University-Minneapolis

First-year earnings of $49,538 put this program nearly $9,000 below what other Minnesota accounting graduates typically earn. With debt estimated around $27,000—based on what similar programs at this school report—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 is manageable on paper. But the earnings gap is harder to dismiss. Comparable accounting programs across Minnesota produce median earnings of $58,472, and the state's top accounting programs start graduates above $64,000. That's a $15,000 difference in year-one earnings that compounds over time.

Growth from $49,538 to $54,212 over four years represents modest progress, but it doesn't close the gap with peer programs. Accounting tends to be one of the more reliable fields for bachelor's-level employment, so these lower earnings suggest either differences in student outcomes, employer connections, or the competitive positioning of this program within Minnesota's accounting job market. Half of students here receive Pell grants, which indicates strong access, but that doesn't change the economic reality of starting well below market rates.

For a parent, the question is whether the convenience or accessibility of Herzing justifies accepting significantly lower earnings than what Minnesota accounting grads typically achieve. The debt is reasonable, but when comparable programs produce $8,000-$15,000 more in starting salary, those first few years matter. If your child has options at programs with stronger earnings records in Minnesota, those differences are worth serious consideration.