Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Black River Technical College

Black River Technical College's interdisciplinary studies program shows strong initial outcomes—graduates earn $43,056 in their first year, putting them in the 80th percentile among Arkansas programs in this field and well above both state ($30,942) and national ($35,979) medians. With debt around $13,360, the initial return looks solid. However, the salary trajectory tells a different story: by year four, median earnings drop sharply to $30,383, a 29% decline that erases most of the early advantage.

This earnings pattern suggests graduates may be landing in retail management, administrative roles, or other positions that offer decent entry points but limited advancement without additional credentials. The moderate sample size means individual career paths could vary significantly, but the trend warrants attention. While the debt burden isn't crushing at 0.31 times first-year earnings, you're essentially paying associate's degree prices for what becomes below-median performance within a few years.

For families considering this program, the key question is what comes next. If your student plans to transfer to a four-year program and use this as a stepping stone, the strong first-year earnings could help offset costs. But as a terminal degree for immediate workforce entry, the declining earnings make this a weaker investment than programs with steadier or growing salary trajectories—even if it starts ahead of the pack.