Design and Applied Arts at Weber State University

Weber State's Design and Applied Arts program substantially outperforms national expectations, with first-year earnings of $40,507 placing graduates 20% above the national median for this field. This is particularly notable given that design programs nationally struggle with low early earnings—Weber State graduates start above the 75th percentile nationwide. The $21,851 in typical debt sits well below the national median of $26,880, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 that most creative fields would envy.

Within Utah, the picture is more nuanced. Weber State ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, trailing Utah State's $52,431 significantly but delivering better outcomes than BYU or Utah Valley. However, its debt load is higher than Utah's state median of $15,200, suggesting that in-state students at other Utah schools may be finding ways to graduate with less borrowing. The 12% earnings growth to $45,382 by year four shows steady career progression, though it doesn't close the gap with Utah State.

For families weighing cost against outcomes, Weber State offers a solid middle path—better than most design programs nationally, competitive within Utah, and with manageable debt that graduates can realistically pay down on a designer's salary. If your student is comparing this to out-of-state design programs, Weber State's combination of above-average earnings and below-average debt makes it worth serious consideration.