Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at Weber State University

Weber State's education program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for earnings—a genuinely impressive achievement in a field known for modest salaries. First-year graduates earn $50,600, well above both the national median ($43,082) and the state median ($47,153). However, the state context reveals a more nuanced picture: among Utah's nine teacher preparation programs, this ranks in just the 60th percentile. Utah Tech and Utah Valley both produce higher earners, suggesting Weber State isn't the top choice within the state despite its strong national standing.

The bigger concern is the earnings trajectory. Graduates see a 10% decline from year one to year four, dropping to $45,752—a pattern that suggests either difficulty advancing in salary schedules or career path challenges. The debt load of $26,767 isn't excessive for education (debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 is manageable), but it's notably higher than Utah's state median of $17,608, meaning students here graduate owing about 50% more than peers at other Utah schools.

For Utah residents, this program delivers solid outcomes but not the best in-state value. If proximity to Ogden matters or if Weber State offers specific scholarships, the strong starting salary justifies the investment. Otherwise, families should compare financial aid packages from Utah Tech or UVU, which appear to offer better earning potential at this stage of graduates' careers.