HUMANITIES Specialization

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies graduates earn $50,532 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,727 and $70,500. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

About Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Graduates typically earn around $50,532 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 421 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 9,341 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$35,174
Median Earnings · 4yr
$50,532
Colleges Offering
421
Graduates / Year
9,341
Avg Net Price / yr
$14,300

How Much Do Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies Graduates Earn?

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies graduates earn $50,532 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,727 and $70,500. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $35,174 climbs to $50,532 by year four.

$35,174
1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$50,532
4-Year National Median

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$50,074
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.


A Solid Financial Return

Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $50,532 and an estimated $57,200 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.8 years.

Based on outcomes from 332 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 9,341 students who complete Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies programs each year, the majority (86%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 86%
Associate's 7%
Master's 4%

What Can You Do With a Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies Degree?

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Computer & Information Systems Manager leads at $175,140/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +3.7%
$167,220
$119K $222K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 8,500 openings/yr 109K employed nationally
↗ +14.8%
$166,570
$125K $220K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 74,600 openings/yr 842K employed nationally
↘ -3.1%
$142,080
$114K $174K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 500 openings/yr 6K employed nationally
↗ +8.7%
$139,500
$109K $169K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 4,000 openings/yr 67K employed nationally
↗ +15.8%
$135,980
$105K $172K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 115,200 openings/yr 1.7M employed nationally
↗ +2.2%
$128,500
$89K $176K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 2,200 openings/yr 20K employed nationally

Top Colleges for Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, ID · Nonprofit 1,023 95.8% $8,221 $53,406
2 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL · Public 800 40.1% $10,411 $58,308
3 Florida International University Miami, FL · Public 480 54.7% $9,288 $60,249
4 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL · Public 330 66.1% $8,752 $56,746
5 Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL · Public 285 63.4% $12,568 $54,560
6 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public 260 86.1% $16,674 $59,979
7 The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX · Public 206 99.9% $9,403 $50,923
8 Victoria College Victoria, TX · Public 158 Open $3,043 $42,382
9 University of Mississippi University, MS · Public 146 96.6% $13,314 $50,994
10 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV · Public 144 89% $15,634 $55,939
11 Touro University New York, NY · Nonprofit 135 60.8% $29,627 $53,419
12 Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL · Nonprofit 125 97% $30,498 $39,696
13 The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, TN · Public 125 88.2% $10,701 $44,213
14 Boise State University Boise, ID · Public 123 87.2% $21,610 $51,658
15 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL · Public 119 53.2% $10,154 $56,343
16 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, FL · Public 110 20.6% $13,739 $44,349
17 Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN · Public 104 76.1% $14,246 $48,501
18 Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CT · Public 99 91.5% $20,857 $55,043
19 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TX · Public 97 94.2% $4,831 $49,620
20 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL · Public 92 76.7% $22,420 $59,221

Ranked by Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies shows 4 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $35,174 at graduation to $50,532 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +19.7% over the next decade, with Computer & Information Research Scientist among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 263,800 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
  • Wide availability Offered at 421 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
  • Modest median earnings Four-year median of $50,532 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
  • Declining roles in some areas 1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
  • High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($33,727) and 75th ($70,500) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies graduates earn?
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies graduates earn a national median of $50,532 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,727 and $70,500. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies degree?
One year after graduation, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies degree holders earn a median of $35,174. That climbs to $50,532 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies degree?
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies degree holders pursue careers including Computer & Information Systems Manager, which pays a median of $175,140/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies program take?
A Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies?
421 colleges and universities in the United States offer Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $50,532 and an average net price of roughly $14,300/yr, a Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies is a focused concentration within the broader Interdisciplinary Studies field. The Interdisciplinary Studies major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies graduates?
Employers hiring Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the job outlook for Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies graduates?
The job outlook for Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies graduates is strong overall. Related occupations project an average of +9.6% job growth over the next 10 years. Computer & Information Research Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +19.7%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.

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