Analysis
The numbers here don't match the institution. While comparable interdisciplinary bachelor's programs in California suggest first-year earnings around $40,000—roughly in line with the state median—that figure seems implausibly low for Caltech graduates, even in a non-traditional major. With a 3% admission rate and a student body that includes some of the country's most competitive STEM talent, it's reasonable to expect significantly stronger outcomes than what typical California interdisciplinary programs produce.
The estimated debt of $22,875 translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 based on those peer program figures. But again, the comparison feels off. Other elite California universities with actual reported data show interdisciplinary majors earning substantially more—UCLA at $46,000, Berkeley at $45,000, even reaching six figures at University of the Pacific. Caltech's unique culture and network effects likely push outcomes higher than what these estimates capture.
The real question is what "interdisciplinary studies" means at Caltech specifically. If it's a vehicle for double-majoring across technical fields or pursuing computational social science, the economics likely look very different than a general interdisciplinary degree elsewhere. Given the school's reputation and the limitations of these peer-based estimates, parents should request placement data directly from the program office before drawing conclusions about value.
Where California Institute of Technology Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (50 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 California Institute of TechnologyPasadena | $63,255 | $40,433* | — | $22,875* | — |
 University of the PacificStockton | $55,340 | $104,803* | $165,593 | $15,500* | 0.15 |
 University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles | $13,747 | $46,154* | $65,593 | $15,000* | 0.32 |
 California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata | $7,913 | $45,490* | $38,755 | $18,196* | 0.40 |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $45,461* | $76,643 | $14,500* | 0.32 |
 University of California-IrvineIrvine | $14,237 | $35,404* | $51,708 | $16,332* | 0.46 |
| National Median | — | $38,704* | — | $25,495* | 0.66 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At California Institute of Technology, approximately 15% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.