Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Bergen Community College

Based on comparable interdisciplinary programs nationally, graduates can expect to earn around $36,000 in their first year—but in New Jersey's job market, similar programs typically produce earnings closer to $43,000. That $7,000 gap matters when you're evaluating whether this associate's degree makes financial sense. The estimated debt load of $10,400 translates to a manageable 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe less than four months of their first-year salary.

The challenge with interdisciplinary studies programs is their variability. Within New Jersey alone, outcomes range from Thomas Edison State's $59,000 to Brookdale's $27,000—a spread that reflects how differently these degrees can position graduates depending on the skills they acquire and the industries they enter. Without actual data from Bergen's specific program, you're making a bet that it performs somewhere in that middle range.

For families where affordability is paramount, the low debt burden is reassuring. But the lack of clear earnings data means you'll need to dig deeper into what concentration or focus area your child would pursue within this major, and whether Bergen has strong employer connections in that field. An interdisciplinary degree can be a springboard or a placeholder—the difference often comes down to how intentionally a student uses it.