Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies at Biola University

Biola's Intercultural Studies program starts slowly—graduates earn $25,750 in their first year, matching the national median—but the trajectory improves substantially. By year four, earnings reach $40,435, a 57% increase that suggests graduates are finding their professional footing after an initial adjustment period. Among California's limited pool of similar programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, placing it slightly ahead of the state median.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $24,500, particularly given the first-year earnings multiple of roughly 0.95. This sits in the 30th percentile nationally for debt, meaning 70% of comparable programs leave students with more debt. However, the modest starting salary means graduates will need to budget carefully in those early years. The small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means individual circumstances could swing these numbers significantly, so they should be viewed as directional rather than definitive.

For families comfortable with a longer runway to financial stability, this program offers a manageable debt load and meaningful earnings growth. The key question is whether your student can handle lean first years while building toward that mid-career trajectory. If they're pursuing work in nonprofit, ministry, or education sectors common to this field, the four-year earnings suggest a sustainable path forward.