Median Earnings (1yr)
$36,205
81st percentile
Median Debt
$21,398
14% below national median

Analysis

Weber State's writing program significantly outperforms national benchmarks—graduates earn 27% more than the typical writing studies grad nationwide—but here's the catch: they're still trailing the state median by about $5,800 annually. With only three Utah schools offering this degree, that gap matters. The University of Utah's program commands nearly $12,000 more in first-year earnings, suggesting Utah employers may pay premium rates for specific credentials in this field.

The financial fundamentals work in your favor. At $21,398 in debt versus $36,205 in first-year earnings, graduates face a manageable 0.59 debt-to-income ratio—better than many humanities programs. Earnings climb to $40,671 by year four, showing reasonable career momentum. This isn't the path to rapid wealth accumulation, but the debt burden won't become crushing either.

The major caveat: we're looking at fewer than 30 graduates here, so individual outcomes could vary substantially from these medians. If your child is set on writing studies and considering Utah schools, Weber State offers solid value at a lower debt level than the national norm. Just understand they'll likely start below what in-state competitors command, though the gap may narrow with experience.

Where Weber State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all rhetoric and composition/writing studies bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Weber State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Weber State University$36,205$40,671+12%
Arizona State University Campus Immersion$44,411$63,308+43%
Arizona State University Digital Immersion$44,411$63,308+43%
Clemson University$43,505$62,729+44%
The University of Texas at Austin$38,713$55,146+42%

Compare to Similar Programs in Utah

Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Utah (3 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Weber State UniversityOgden$6,391$36,205$40,671$21,3980.59
University of UtahSalt Lake City$9,315$47,950———
National Median—$28,418—$25,0000.88

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with rhetoric and composition/writing studies graduates

Technical Writers

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

$91,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in English language and literature, including linguistics and comparative literature. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

$75,260/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Postsecondary Teachers, All Other

All postsecondary teachers not listed separately.

Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Weber State University, approximately 16% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 28 graduates with reported earnings and 32 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.