Practical Nursing at Herzing University-Madison

Madison, WI · Private nonprofit · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

With 94% of applicants admitted, Herzing University-Madison prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 2,105 students in Madison, WI.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $47,310/yr, edging above the $44,151 national average for Practical Nursing — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 53.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Practical Nursing carry above-average AI exposure (18% of tasks). The 32% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

At $14,375 in median debt against $47,310 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #242 ranking among 703 Practical Nursing programs places Herzing University-Madison in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 42% earnings increase from $47,310 to $67,146 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Practical Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
68
Low End
72
Score
73
High End
Earnings $47,310/yr (7% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$724K
9.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
53.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$13,420
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,375
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,146
42% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Practical Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses $62,340 +2.6% 75%
Nursing assistants $39,530 +2.3% 90%
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
$62,340
+2.6% growth 75% AI-proof
Nursing assistants
$39,530
+2.3% growth 90% AI-proof

About Practical Nursing Careers

Your career begins on the front lines of patient care as a nursing assistant. In a hospital or long-term care facility, your active days will be spent helping patients with essential tasks like bathing, eating, and moving safely. You’ll be a vital part of the medical team, taking blood pressure and temperature and serving as the eyes and ears for the supervising nurses.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Herzing University-Madison

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 72/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Herzing University-Madison?
At 72/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
Practical Nursing rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 18% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
Practical Nursing connects to 2 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →