Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at California State University-Fresno

Fresno State's interdisciplinary studies degree produces concerning first-year outcomes—graduates earn just $30,891, about $4,500 below the state's already-modest median for this degree. While California programs in this field generally lag the national average, Fresno State ranks near the middle of the pack within the state, suggesting these underwhelming results reflect both the degree type and regional economic realities rather than the university alone.

The debt picture offers a silver lining: at $20,202, graduates borrow roughly $6,000 less than typical California peers in this program. This helps offset the lower earnings somewhat, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65—manageable, though it means graduates are dedicating about two-thirds of their first year's salary to debt payback if they followed the standard 10-year plan. For a school serving a heavily Pell Grant population (56%), keeping debt below $21,000 matters.

The real question is opportunity cost. This degree lands graduates at roughly $31,000 while other options—even at open-access California institutions—break $34,000. For families counting on immediate earning power after graduation, interdisciplinary studies at any California school requires realistic expectations about entry-level wages. The relatively low debt makes this less financially risky than alternatives, but parents should understand their child will likely need time to build earning power beyond that initial $31,000.