Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Chadron State College

This program's graduates earn about $29,500 in their first year—putting them in the bottom 5% nationally among interdisciplinary studies programs, though exactly at Nebraska's state median for this field. The 19% earnings growth to nearly $35,000 by year four offers some reassurance, but that's still $3,700 below the national median for this degree. With $25,000 in debt (0.85 debt-to-earnings ratio), graduates face a manageable but not comfortable repayment situation at these income levels.

The real concern here is the dramatic gap between national and state-level performance. While Chadron holds its own against Nebraska peers, the state's entire interdisciplinary studies market appears depressed compared to the rest of the country. Parents should understand they're not just choosing this college—they're choosing to pursue this degree in Nebraska's more limited job market. The small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) adds uncertainty to these figures.

For families committed to staying in Nebraska, this program performs adequately within the state. But if your student has geographic flexibility after graduation, they'd likely benefit from pursuing this degree elsewhere, where typical earnings run $9,000 higher annually. The value proposition only makes sense if strong ties to the region or exceptionally low total costs offset the earnings disadvantage.