Weber State University
Weber State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Weber State University at a Glance
Weber State University is a public university in Ogden, Utah, United States. It was founded in 1889 as Weber Stake Academy by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and changed to its current name in 1991.
1889
137 years old
$238M
$238 million (2025)
29,914
28,903 undergrad · 1,011 grad
1,046
Identity
Is Weber State University Worth It?
Weber State University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $10,258/year, it's priced 50% below average, while graduates go on to earn $56,287 — 5% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 45% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Weber State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in UT
Ranked #69 of 210 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #5 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #69 | Weber State University | 61 | $10,258 | $56,287 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Weber State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in UT.
Best Programs at Weber State University
The highest-earning program at Weber State University is Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at $69,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services at $21,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians graduate from Weber State University earns $69,700, while a Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services graduate earns $21,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians graduates carry $13,334 in median debt vs. $17,395 for Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,258/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $69,700 | $69,700 | $13,334 |
| Computer Science | $66,200 | $66,200 | $14,317 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | $63,900 | $63,900 | N/A |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $59,400 | $59,400 | N/A |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $57,400 | $57,400 | $23,075 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $56,100 | $56,100 | $21,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $55,600 | $55,600 | $21,210 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $55,200 | $55,200 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $52,000 | $52,000 | $14,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,800 | $51,800 | $15,408 |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $50,000 | $50,000 | $19,056 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $49,500 | $49,500 | $14,897 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $48,200 | $48,200 | $20,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,100 | $45,100 | $18,678 |
| Marketing | $38,000 | $38,000 | N/A |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $37,700 | $37,700 | $19,383 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $37,400 | $37,400 | $20,208 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $37,200 | $37,200 | $17,843 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $37,100 | $37,100 | $11,219 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,800 | $36,800 | $15,250 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $36,000 | $36,000 | N/A |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,800 | $35,800 | $16,375 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $34,500 | $34,500 | $15,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $34,300 | $34,300 | $19,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $34,300 | $34,300 | $21,022 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $34,200 | $34,200 | $17,590 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $33,500 | $33,500 | N/A |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,300 | $33,300 | $18,257 |
| Public Health | $30,300 | $30,300 | $13,000 |
| Social Work | $28,800 | $28,800 | $20,832 |
| Psychology, General | $26,400 | $26,400 | $13,125 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $23,400 | $23,400 | $15,705 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $21,600 | $21,600 | $17,395 |
Similar Colleges in UT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Ogden, UT
- Student Body
- 16,360 students
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,258
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,287
- Median Student Debt
- $15,113