Madison Area Technical College vs Herzing University-Madison: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Madison Area Technical College comes closer — median earnings $45,413 against a $56,952 total, vs $36,909 at Herzing University-Madison. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Madison Area Technical College | Herzing University-Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,238 | $22,327 |
| Total net cost | $56,952 | $89,308 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,413 | $36,909 |
| Median debt | $14,060 | $21,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$115,892 | -$318,328 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Madison Area Technical College or Herzing University-Madison?
Madison Area Technical College, at $14,238 a year after aid versus $22,327 — a gap of $8,089 a year, or $32,356 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Madison Area Technical College or Herzing University-Madison graduates earn more?
Madison Area Technical College graduates report a median $45,413 ten years after entry, $8,504 more than the $36,909 at Herzing University-Madison. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Madison Area Technical College or Herzing University-Madison?
Madison Area Technical College: its completers carry a median $14,060 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Herzing University-Madison, a difference of $7,440. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
29% of students finish at Madison Area Technical College, against 28% at Herzing University-Madison. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.