Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 suggests a manageable financial picture for this interdisciplinary associate's program, with estimated borrowing of around $13,000 against first-year earnings near $36,000. Based on national data from similar programs, graduates could expect to earn their degree's debt back in roughly four months of work—a reasonable threshold for an associate credential. However, the low Pell grant percentage (14%) at Bismarck State suggests this campus may serve a more economically advantaged student body, which could mean fewer students are taking on this debt burden in practice.
The challenge with interdisciplinary associate's degrees is their variability: "Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies" can mean vastly different things depending on the specific concentration chosen. Comparable programs nationally produce outcomes ranging from $36,000 to $42,500 in first-year earnings, a spread that matters significantly when you're deciding whether two years of education will pay off. Without reported data from this specific program or even peer institutions in North Dakota, parents should dig deeper into what concentrations are available and where recent graduates have actually landed jobs. The estimated figures suggest typical outcomes for this credential type, but your child's actual trajectory will depend heavily on the specific skills and coursework they pursue within this flexible program structure.
Where Bismarck State College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies associates's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bismarck State CollegeBismarck | $5,195 | $35,979* | — | $13,012* | — |
 Central Carolina Technical CollegeSumter | $5,715 | $59,456* | $57,364 | —* | — |
 Thomas Edison State UniversityTrenton | $6,638 | $58,827* | $80,459 | $11,312* | 0.19 |
 Tri-County Technical CollegePendleton | $4,448 | $51,330* | $52,881 | —* | — |
 Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington | $4,706 | $48,307* | $50,784 | $13,077* | 0.27 |
 Aiken Technical CollegeGraniteville | $5,044 | $45,236* | — | —* | — |
| National Median | — | $35,979* | — | $13,023* | 0.36 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bismarck State College, approximately 14% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 29 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.