Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Centenary University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 suggests a manageable loan burden—it would take roughly nine months of gross income to pay off $26,500 borrowed for this degree. But this picture comes entirely from comparable programs nationally, not from Centenary's own graduates, so there's meaningful uncertainty about how this specific program performs.

What we can say is that interdisciplinary studies degrees at this level cluster tightly around $35,000-$37,000 in first-year earnings across New Jersey, with Centenary's estimated figure landing at the lower end. The modest debt load helps offset concerns about earnings potential, particularly given that 38% of students receive Pell grants—for families already stretching financially, keeping borrowing under $27,000 matters more than chasing an extra few thousand in starting salary. The 97% admission rate signals an accessible path to a bachelor's degree, though it also means the credential won't carry the same signaling power as more selective institutions.

The core challenge with interdisciplinary programs is that their value depends heavily on what students actually build with the flexibility—internships, concentrations, career planning. Without knowing how Centenary's graduates specifically fare, you're making a bet on your child's ability to translate a general degree into employment, backed by debt estimates that appear reasonable but earnings projections that offer little cushion above the national floor.