Best colleges for Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies by graduate earnings are University of the Pacific ($104,803), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($59,105) and University of Houston ($56,904), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA): $104,803, 37 graduates a year
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI): $59,105, 51 graduates a year
- University of Houston (Houston, TX): $56,904, 209 graduates a year
- University of Houston-Clear Lake (Houston, TX): $56,645, 147 graduates a year
- Boston University (Boston, MA): $54,456, 37 graduates a year
Compare 652 U.S. colleges offering Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 53 states.
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,654 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 30.99.
About Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies programs
The Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies program offers students the opportunity to combine multiple academic disciplines into a cohesive field of study. This program is ideal for those who seek to explore various areas of knowledge, such as sociology, anthropology, psychology, and economics, and wish to apply this interdisciplinary approach to real-world challenges. Students in this program will engage with diverse perspectives and methodologies, preparing them for a range of professional fields that require collaborative and integrative thinking. The curriculum encourages critical thinking and adaptability, making it suitable for individuals who thrive in dynamic environments and are interested in innovative problem-solving.
In the Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies program, students will learn to draw knowledge from various disciplines, enhancing their analytical and critical thinking skills. Coursework typically includes topics that encourage collaboration across fields, fostering a comprehensive understanding of complex issues and the ability to approach problems from multiple angles.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of the Pacific Stockton, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $104,803 | 37 | 69% | $23,964 | $15,500 |
| 2 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,105 | 51 | 93% | — | $19,000 |
| 3 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,904 | 209 | 65% | — | $21,500 |
| 4 | University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,645 | 147 | 52% | — | $20,904 |
| 5 | Boston University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,456 | 37 | 89% | $21,956 | $22,625 |
| 6 | University of North Texas Denton, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,733 | 790 | 61% | — | $23,573 |
| 7 | University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,463 | 75 | 96% | — | $26,700 |
| 8 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,162 | 83 | 76% | — | $24,092 |
| 9 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,107 | 254 | 89% | — | $21,500 |
| 10 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,862 | 43 | 47% | — | $22,033 |
| 11 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,664 | 329 | 69% | — | $22,800 |
| 12 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,235 | 306 | 84% | — | $20,500 |
| 13 | Texas A & M University - Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,040 | 107 | 40% | — | $24,816 |
| 14 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,751 | 105 | 44% | — | $35,110 |
| 15 | American University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,486 | 140 | 75% | $30,225 | $23,000 |
| 16 | University of Hawaii-West Oahu Kapolei, HI Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,464 | 45 | 50% | — | $17,820 |
| 17 | University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,421 | 40 | 85% | $24,049 | $24,750 |
| 18 | East Texas A&M University Commerce, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,365 | 494 | 43% | — | $25,250 |
| 19 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,351 | 53 | 50% | — | $22,512 |
| 20 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,240 | 168 | 55% | — | $25,000 |
| 21 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,111 | 167 | 63% | — | $25,125 |
| 22 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,381 | 68 | 48% | — | $24,562 |
| 23 | Texas A&M University - San Antonio San Antonio, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,239 | 249 | 40% | — | $21,000 |
| 24 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,762 | 220 | 83% | — | $29,309 |
| 25 | Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,871 | 260 | 53% | — | $25,000 |
Top 4 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Carolina Technical College Sumter, SC Public · Associate degree | $59,456 | 40 | 34% | — | — |
| 2 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY Public · Associate degree | $48,307 | 67 | 43% | — | $13,077 |
| 3 | Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Public · Certificate Small program | $88,014 | 11 | 83% | — | $14,000 |
| 4 | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton, SC Public · Associate degree Small program | $51,330 | 1 | 42% | — | — |
Specializations within Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 30.99 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 53 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Common questions
What is Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies?+
It is a program that combines multiple academic disciplines into one field of study, encouraging a broad exploration of knowledge.
Who should consider this program?+
Students interested in integrating various fields of study and applying interdisciplinary approaches to real-world problems.
What skills will I gain?+
You will develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate across different disciplines.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
Graduates can work in various fields such as education, social services, and project management, where interdisciplinary skills are valued.
How much do Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies graduates earn?+
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,654, College Scorecard (2019).
What is the CIP code for Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies?+
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies maps to CIP 30.99 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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