Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Capital University

Capital University's interdisciplinary studies program sits right at the state median for earnings ($38,266), but here's the concerning part: graduates are earning less four years out than they did right after graduation. That backward slide, combined with $33,544 in debt—higher than both state and national medians—means this program requires careful scrutiny. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty to these figures, but you can't ignore that graduates are making roughly $2,000 less in year four than year one.

Within Ohio, this program performs in the 60th percentile, which sounds reasonable until you realize the University of Cincinnati system is producing graduates earning $8,000 more annually. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.88 isn't catastrophic, but it means your child would owe nearly a full year's salary right out of the gate. For context, the typical interdisciplinary studies grad nationally carries about $25,500 in debt—this program loads on an extra $8,000.

If your child is genuinely passionate about an interdisciplinary approach and Capital offers the specific combination of fields they want, understand this is more about personal fit than financial return. But if they're treating this as a flexible "figure it out later" degree, they could likely find comparable programs in Ohio with lighter debt loads or stronger earning trajectories. The declining earnings pattern is the real red flag here.