Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Brevard College

Brevard College graduates in this interdisciplinary program start at $26,605—barely ahead of minimum wage work and trailing the North Carolina median for similar programs by $6,000. While the debt load of $27,000 looks reasonable on paper, it takes essentially the entire first year's salary to pay it off, leaving little room for living expenses. This ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable programs produce better-earning graduates.

The small sample size here (fewer than 30 graduates) adds significant uncertainty to these figures, but the pattern is concerning even with that caveat. At 38% Pell-eligible students, Brevard serves a population that especially needs strong post-graduation outcomes, yet even within North Carolina's interdisciplinary programs—which themselves underperform the national average—this program lands in just the 25th percentile. UNC Pembroke and UNC Greensboro both produce graduates earning 45-50% more within the same field.

For families considering a $27,000 investment, the return here appears weak. Interdisciplinary studies can be valuable for students with clear professional goals, but this program's outcomes suggest either a mismatch between curriculum and job market needs, or graduates pursuing paths where a bachelor's degree provides limited earnings advantage. Unless your child has compelling non-financial reasons to choose Brevard—and a concrete plan for how this degree connects to their career—the data points toward exploring alternatives.