Herzing University-Kenosha
Kenosha, Wisconsin · Private Nonprofit · 92.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 23/100 · Poor Value
Herzing University-Kenosha earns a Poor Value ROI score of 23, with a 121.7-year payback period that effectively signals earnings never recoup the cost under standard assumptions. Tuition is listed at $13,450 but net price is $23,066 - meaningfully higher, indicating fees, supplies, and living costs that aren't captured in tuition. Four-year cost is $92,264. Median earnings six years out are just $30,100, growing only to $36,909 by year ten - extremely low for any career-school graduate. The repayment rate of 45.2% is alarming - scoring just 6 out of 100 - meaning more than half of borrowers are not actively paying down loans. Earnings premium is essentially zero (raw value 0.021, scoring 9). Completion rate of 72.2% is strong (scoring 82) - the school does get students across the finish line, but the credential they earn doesn't produce strong earnings. Median debt of $21,500 looks moderate at the institutional level, but program-level debt is much higher: nursing graduates carry $43,985, business carries $46,792, health admin carries $47,375. Pell rate of 62.3% indicates a heavily working-class student body taking on substantial risk. As of 2024-2025 Scorecard data, Herzing represents the career-school value problem: high completion masking serious downstream earnings and debt issues.
The data raises concerns about Herzing University-Kenosha
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score23/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period>50 years - Graduates earn at or near the level of high school completers — the cost may not recoup within a working career.
Herzing University-Kenosha
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $13,450/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $13,450/yr |
| Average net price | $23,066/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $92,264 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,909 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $30,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $228 |
| Estimated payback period | >50 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 72.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 522 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Herzing University-Kenosha is $13,450/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $23,066/year, or roughly $92,264 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $21,600/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $28,132/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $228 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $36,909 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.71 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,600 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $25,283 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,333 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,103 |
| $110,001+ | $28,132 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $21,600 - the bulk of Herzing's student body given the 62% Pell rate. Four-year cost approaches $86,000 against a $30,100 six-year median earnings. The math is brutal. For Pell-eligible students entering the nursing program specifically, the case can work; for everything else, it doesn't.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($30,001-$48,000) pay $25,283 - actually higher than the lowest bracket. The brackets show an inversion across the lower tiers. Four-year cost over $101,000. Even at higher prices, the aid is not concentrated on lowest-income families.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income families ($110,001+) pay $28,132 - the highest bracket. Four-year cost approaches $113,000. At any price the financial case is weak; full-pay families considering Herzing should examine community college nursing or local-public alternatives that produce similar career credentials at a fraction of the cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 8 most popular majors at Herzing University-Kenosha with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $91,010 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $66,379 | D |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $51,098 | F |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $69,601 | B |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration | $70,624 | D |
| Computer Programming | $78,404 | C |
| Accounting | $54,345 | - |
| Legal Support Services | $33,315 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is essentially the entire useful program at Herzing-Kenosha: 144 graduates with first-year earnings of $75,774 climbing to $91,010 by year four. The earnings are strong, but median debt of $43,985 is more than double the school-wide median, producing a 0.58 ratio and C ROI grade. The high debt drags what would otherwise be a B+ outcome down to a C. Students completing this program will earn real wages but with substantial debt overhang - a Wisconsin technical college nursing program produces similar earnings with a fraction of the borrowing.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business graduates only 5 students annually (small sample) with first-year earnings of $52,469 against an extraordinary $46,792 median debt - a 0.892 ratio and D ROI grade. The debt levels in this program are striking and unusual. Students considering Herzing's business programs should obtain a written disclosure of expected borrowing and compare against UW System and Wisconsin Technical College alternatives.
Health and Medical Administrative Services
Health Admin produces one of Herzing's worst outcomes: 5 graduates with first-year earnings of $39,231 against $47,375 debt - a punishing 1.208 ratio and F ROI grade. Health admin career paths typically pay $40,000-$60,000; this program's debt levels make even those wages inadequate. Strongly consider community college healthcare administration programs at far lower cost.
Computer/Information Technology Administration
IT Administration graduates only 1 student annually (statistically unreliable). First-year earnings of $57,229 against $41,837 debt - a 0.731 ratio and D ROI grade. With sample size this small the numbers are directional rather than precise. Conceptually IT administration has reasonable career economics, but Herzing's pricing strains the math even for moderately strong earners.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice graduates 1 student annually (statistically unreliable). First-year earnings of $67,229 (very high) against $28,399 debt produce a 0.422 ratio and B ROI grade - the only B in the lineup. With sample size this small the result should be treated as anecdotal rather than predictive. Students interested in CJ should look to Wisconsin's state colleges for more reliable data.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 39.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 45.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 32.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 42.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 92.0% |
| Enrollment | 522 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 62.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,591 |
Herzing admits 92% of applicants - effectively open admission. SAT and ACT data are not reported, standard for career-focused institutions where admission decisions involve adult-learner pathways rather than standardized testing. The 72% completion rate is notably strong for an open-admission school, suggesting Herzing's structured online and accelerated programs do bring students to credential. The challenge is that the credential's market value is limited.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Herzing's peers include Alverno College, Bellin College, Cambridge College, Touro University Worldwide, and Drury University's College of Continuing Professional Studies - all adult-learner and career-focused institutions. Within this set Herzing's 23 score is on the weaker end. Bellin College typically scores higher (50+) on the strength of its nursing-focused mission and stronger placement outcomes. The peer comparison underscores that even within career-school category, Herzing's outcomes lag.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herzing University-Kenosha (this school) | 23 | $23,066 | $36,909 |
| Grand Canyon University | 25 | $22,472 | $42,186 |
| Strayer University-Florida | 24 | $16,064 | $40,092 |
| DeVry University-Ohio | 23 | $25,001 | $45,987 |
| Johnson & Wales University-Online | 21 | $20,252 | $43,418 |
| DeVry University-Florida | 21 | $29,477 | $45,987 |
Who Thrives Here
Herzing fits working adult learners committed specifically to nursing or a healthcare credential who need flexible scheduling and accelerated programs. Enrollment of 522 is small. Pell rate of 62.3% is very high. The data is sharply program-dependent: nursing graduates earn $75,774 in year one (C grade, weighed down by $43,985 program-level debt). All other programs produce D or F grades. Students should consider Herzing only with eyes wide open about debt burdens and only for the nursing pipeline.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Herzing University-Kenosha. With a net cost of $23,066 per year and median graduate earnings of only $36,909 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds >50 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Key strengths include a 72.2% graduation rate. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $21,500 against $36,909 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.