Students at Herzing University-Kenosha benefit from earnings that exceed expectations for similar students at comparable institutions, reflecting the value of focused career training.
The university combines broad access for underserved populations with practical professional preparation that leads to manageable debt and successful loan repayment.
Herzing University-Kenosha is a small private nonprofit institution that focuses on career-oriented programs, particularly in healthcare fields. The university serves a predominantly first-generation and Pell-eligible student population, with 62% of students receiving Pell Grants and 52% being first-generation college students. Nearly half of students are transfers, reflecting the institution's role as a pathway for students seeking to complete their degrees or change career directions.
The university's approach centers on practical, professional training rather than broad liberal arts education. While overall earnings outcomes are modest compared to research universities, with graduates earning a median of $36,909 ten years after enrollment, the institution does show some positive earnings beyond expectations, suggesting it adds value for the students it serves. The completion rate of 50% at six years reflects the challenges many students face, though this is not uncommon for institutions serving high numbers of working adults and non-traditional students.
As a small private institution in Wisconsin, Herzing University-Kenosha fills a specific niche in higher education, providing focused professional training for students who might not succeed in traditional four-year university settings. The university's strength lies in its specialized programs and individualized approach rather than in broad academic prestige or research output.
Herzing University-Kenosha's program portfolio centers on practical, career-focused training with healthcare as the primary strength. The Adult Health Nursing program stands out as both the largest and most financially successful offering, graduating 109 students annually with median earnings of $60,799 ten years after completion. This program represents the university's core mission of preparing students for high-demand professional roles in healthcare, where employment prospects remain consistently strong.
The concentration in nursing reflects the institution's strategic focus on fields where graduates can find stable, well-paying employment immediately after graduation. Unlike comprehensive universities that offer broad liberal arts programs, Herzing emphasizes practical skills training that leads directly to professional certification and employment. This approach serves the needs of working adults and career-changers who seek focused preparation for specific occupations rather than general academic exploration.
As a small institution, Herzing's program scale allows for personalized attention and hands-on training that larger universities often cannot provide. The nursing program's success demonstrates how specialized institutions can create meaningful career pathways for students, particularly those from first-generation and low-income backgrounds who benefit from structured, professionally-oriented education that leads to clear employment outcomes.
Graduates of Herzing University-Kenosha see modest but meaningful financial outcomes, with median earnings of $36,909 ten years after enrollment. While this places the institution in the lower tier nationally for earnings, graduates do earn about $3,870 more than similar students at comparable institutions, indicating the university provides some earnings beyond expectations for its student population. This earnings advantage suggests that despite modest absolute outcomes, the institution effectively prepares students for their chosen career paths.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its nursing program, which graduates 109 students annually and leads to median earnings of $60,799 ten years out. Adult Health Nursing represents the institution's flagship program, combining substantial enrollment with strong earning potential that significantly exceeds the university's overall median. This concentration in healthcare reflects the institution's strategic focus on high-demand professional fields where graduates can find stable employment.
While overall earnings are modest, the university's approach appears well-suited to its student population of working adults, transfers, and first-generation students who often prioritize practical career training over traditional academic pathways. The positive earnings beyond expectations suggests that for students seeking focused professional preparation, particularly in healthcare, Herzing provides meaningful value despite lower absolute earnings compared to comprehensive universities.
Affordability at Herzing University-Kenosha varies significantly by family income, with net prices that reflect the institution's private nonprofit status. Low-income students pay about $16,517 annually, while middle-income families face costs around $19,668 per year, and higher-income families pay approximately $21,633. These prices position the university around the national average for affordability, making it accessible to families across different income levels while maintaining the personalized attention typical of smaller private institutions.
Debt levels are moderate and manageable for most graduates. Typical students leave with about $21,500 in federal loan debt, a reasonable amount given the focused nature of the programs and the career outcomes they produce. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $9,358, reflecting the fact that many families contribute directly to educational costs. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates are generally able to manage their debt obligations successfully.
The combination of moderate debt levels and the university's 0% default rate suggests that most students can handle their financial obligations after graduation. While earnings are modest compared to research universities, they appear sufficient to support loan repayment for the majority of graduates, particularly those entering stable healthcare careers where employment prospects remain strong.
Herzing University-Kenosha Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
