English Language and Literature at Weber State University

Weber State's English program stands out for one compelling reason: graduates carry remarkably low debt—just $12,399, less than half the national median of $24,529 and well below Utah's typical $16,728. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, graduates owe roughly what they'll earn in four months of work, making this one of the most financially accessible English degrees you'll find.

The earnings picture is solid if unspectacular. First-year earnings of $34,224 beat the national median by $4,000 and rank in the 73rd percentile nationally, though the program sits in the middle of Utah's pack. By year four, salaries climb to nearly $40,000—respectable growth of 17%. Weber State trails the top Utah programs (Utah Tech leads at $42,000), but the earnings gap isn't dramatic enough to offset the substantial debt advantage.

The catch: this data comes from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary considerably. Still, the fundamental value proposition is clear. If your child is committed to studying English, Weber State delivers competitive earnings with minimal financial burden. That low debt load provides crucial flexibility for graduate school or career exploration—advantages that matter significantly more for humanities majors than squeezing out an extra few thousand in starting salary.