Herzing University-Brookfield provides important educational access for first-generation and working-class students in Wisconsin, particularly through its nursing program which delivers strong career outcomes.
The university serves students seeking direct job preparation rather than traditional college experiences, with graduates maintaining excellent loan repayment records.
Herzing University-Brookfield is a small private nonprofit institution in Wisconsin that focuses on career-oriented programs designed for direct workforce entry. The university serves a predominantly first-generation and Pell-eligible student population, with about 60% of students receiving Pell Grants and 52% being first-generation college students. This reflects the institution's mission to provide accessible higher education pathways for students who might not otherwise pursue college.
The university's approach centers on practical, job-focused training rather than broad liberal arts education. With a small enrollment, students receive individualized attention and support throughout their academic journey. The institution attracts many transfer students and adult learners seeking to advance their careers or change professional directions.
While Herzing University-Brookfield faces challenges with completion rates and earnings outcomes compared to traditional four-year institutions, it serves an important role in Wisconsin's higher education landscape. The university provides opportunities for students seeking direct career preparation in specialized fields, particularly healthcare, where graduates can enter stable, in-demand professions immediately after completing their programs.
Herzing University-Brookfield's program portfolio centers on practical, career-focused training with nursing as the clear standout. The Adult Health Nursing program, with 43 graduates earning a median of $60,799, represents both the university's largest successful cohort and its strongest financial outcomes. This program demonstrates how focused professional training can deliver meaningful returns for students who complete it.
The nursing program's success reflects several factors: strong employer demand in Wisconsin's healthcare market, clear career pathways, and the university's specialized focus on health professions. Graduates enter stable, well-compensated positions immediately after completion, with earnings that significantly exceed the institutional average.
While the university offers other programs, the nursing pathway represents the clearest value proposition for prospective students. The concentration of successful outcomes in this single field suggests that students should carefully evaluate program-specific completion rates and employment outcomes rather than relying on institutional averages. For students committed to healthcare careers, the nursing program offers a direct path to middle-class earnings and job security.
Graduates of Herzing University-Brookfield typically earn modest but stable incomes in their chosen fields. Ten years after enrollment, the median graduate earns $36,909, which reflects the institution's focus on practical, job-ready training rather than high-earning professional fields. However, graduates do earn slightly more than expected compared with similar students at other institutions, showing a small but positive earnings advantage of about $3,245.
The strongest financial outcomes come from the university's nursing program, which represents the institution's flagship offering. Adult Health Nursing graduates, who make up the largest successful cohort with 43 graduates, earn a median of $60,799 ten years out. This significantly exceeds the overall institutional median and demonstrates how focused professional programs can deliver strong returns for students who complete them successfully.
The university's career-focused approach means graduates typically enter stable employment immediately after graduation, though earnings growth may be more limited compared to traditional four-year degree programs. Students should expect steady, middle-class incomes rather than high-growth career trajectories, with the nursing program offering the clearest path to above-average earnings in Wisconsin's healthcare market.
Herzing University-Brookfield maintains relatively predictable pricing across income levels, with net costs that are moderate for a private institution. Low-income students pay about $18,125 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $24,115, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,800. This pricing structure reflects the institution's commitment to serving working-class and first-generation students.
The university's affordability story is mixed when considering debt levels and completion rates. Typical graduates carry about $21,500 in federal student loan debt, which is manageable given the focused nature of the programs. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $9,358, indicating that many families contribute directly to educational costs. The institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, suggesting that graduates who complete their programs can generally manage their debt obligations.
However, affordability must be considered alongside completion rates, which are lower than at traditional four-year institutions. With a six-year completion rate of 40%, families should carefully evaluate whether the investment aligns with their student's likelihood of program completion. For students who do graduate, particularly in high-demand fields like nursing, the debt-to-income ratio remains reasonable and sustainable.
Herzing University-Brookfield Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
