Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Anderson University

The estimated $25,878 in debt for Anderson's interdisciplinary studies bachelor's isn't catastrophic, but it's roughly $5,500 higher than what other Indiana programs in this field typically require. Combined with projected first-year earnings around $40,600—drawn from the three Indiana schools with reported outcomes—you're looking at a debt load that equals about eight months of gross income, which is manageable but not a steal.

What matters most here is what "interdisciplinary studies" actually means in practice. These programs can be anything from strategic double majors that employers value to catch-all degrees that lack clear career pathways. The earnings range among Indiana peers is telling: Purdue Global graduates earn $57,000 while DePauw's earn just $27,400—same degree type, wildly different outcomes. Anderson's position near the state median suggests middle-of-the-road results, which for an interdisciplinary degree often depends heavily on what specific skills and experiences a student builds into the program.

If your child has a clear plan—combining business coursework with nonprofit management experience, for instance, or pairing environmental science with communications for advocacy work—the flexibility could work. But if this degree is a fallback without strategic direction, that $26,000 debt becomes harder to justify when the field's outcomes vary so dramatically based on how students construct their studies.