Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Blackburn College

Interdisciplinary bachelor's programs in Illinois produce widely varying outcomes—from nearly $51,000 at Eastern Illinois University down to $26,000 at Columbia College Chicago—making it difficult to assess value without school-specific data. For Blackburn, we're working with state medians suggesting around $35,000 in first-year earnings and $28,000 in debt, figures that align closely with typical outcomes across Illinois but tell us little about what graduates from this particular program actually earn.

The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80 appears manageable on paper, though it's worth noting that more than half of Blackburn's students receive Pell grants, meaning many families are already stretching financially. If actual outcomes mirror these state-level estimates, graduates would face monthly loan payments around $310 on the standard plan—roughly 10% of gross income. That's workable, but there's no buffer if Blackburn's program underperforms the state average, which some Illinois interdisciplinary programs clearly do.

The core challenge here is that interdisciplinary studies can mean vastly different things—some programs prepare students for specific careers while others serve as catch-all majors for students changing directions. Without knowing how Blackburn structures this degree or where its graduates actually land, you're essentially betting on an unknown. If your child is considering this path, the most important conversation is with current students and recent alumni about what careers this degree actually opens up at Blackburn specifically.