Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians at Weber State University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 suggests this architectural engineering technology program could work financially, though the uncertainty here matters. With estimated debt around $20,500 and first-year earnings near $51,000 based on peer programs nationally, graduates would owe roughly five months of their salary—manageable if those estimates hold true. The challenge is that Weber State's program is small enough that the Department of Education can't publish actual outcomes, so we're relying on what similar bachelor's programs produce elsewhere.

The field itself shows promise. Nationally, architectural engineering technology programs cluster around $51,000 in starting pay, with top-performing programs reaching nearly $70,000. That range matters because it suggests significant variation in how different programs position graduates—some lead to higher-paying roles than others. Whether Weber State's curriculum and industry connections place graduates closer to the median or the upper end remains unclear without program-specific data.

For an anxious parent, here's the practical consideration: if your student can graduate with debt near the estimated $20,500 and land work in the $50,000 range, this is likely a sound investment. But verify what you can—talk to recent graduates if possible, check job placement specifics, and have a backup plan if starting salaries come in lower than peer programs suggest. The estimated numbers point toward viability, but treating them as guarantees would be a mistake.