Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at California Institute of Integral Studies

Four years out, graduates of this program earn $52,171—a meaningful jump from the estimated first-year figure of around $40,000 that similar California programs produce. That earnings trajectory matters, especially when you're starting with $24,177 in debt. The debt load sits near the national median for interdisciplinary bachelor's programs, but it's notably higher than California's typical $17,264, which reflects San Francisco's premium pricing.

The first-year earnings estimate comes from eight comparable programs across California, so there's real uncertainty about whether this specific program performs better or worse than that $40,000 benchmark. What we do know is the four-year outcome, and it's solid—above both the national and state medians for this field. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 suggests manageable monthly payments, assuming those earnings hold.

The challenge is that "interdisciplinary studies" is an umbrella term that can mean vastly different things. At some California schools, graduates in this field earn over $100,000 (likely specialized tech or business tracks), while others hover in the mid-$30,000s. Without knowing exactly what career paths this program's graduates pursue, you're betting on the four-year outcome being predictive of continued growth. If your student has a clear sense of how they'll apply this degree, the debt burden is reasonable. If they're still exploring, that $24,000 carries more risk.