Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Brigham Young University-Idaho

BYU-Idaho's Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies program graduates carry remarkably low debt—just $13,730, which places them in the 95th percentile nationally (meaning only 5% of similar programs saddle students with less debt). This is a significant advantage, particularly for a field where earnings can be modest. The trade-off is that first-year earnings of $32,247 trail both the national median ($35,282) and the Idaho median ($35,539), landing in the 28th percentile nationally and 40th in-state. For context, graduates from Boise State's comparable program earn about 20% more right out of the gate.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 tells a practical story: graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, meaning this debt should be manageable even on an entry-level income. For families concerned about debt burden—especially at a school where a quarter of students receive Pell grants—this is genuinely affordable. The lower earnings are real but not catastrophic, and interdisciplinary degrees often serve as stepping stones to graduate programs or careers where the specific major matters less than the credential itself.

The bottom line: This program won't launch your child into a high-earning career immediately, but it also won't trap them under debt. If they're attending BYU-Idaho for the low tuition and faith-based environment, this major offers a financially sensible path to a degree, particularly if they have plans beyond the bachelor's level.