Analysis
With earnings and debt estimates both tracking near Pennsylvania's typical outcomes for interdisciplinary bachelor's programs, Chatham's offering appears positioned in the middle of the state's range. Similar programs across Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $43,600 against roughly $26,000 in debt—a 0.60 ratio that's manageable by most standards. This debt load equals just seven months of estimated gross income, meaning graduates could reasonably tackle repayment while building their careers.
The challenge lies in what "interdisciplinary studies" actually prepares students to do. The statewide range is enormous—from Drexel graduates earning $72,000 to others making under $38,000—suggesting outcomes depend heavily on how students focus their coursework and translate it into marketable skills. Chatham's academic profile (70% admission rate, 1205 SAT average) places it as a solid regional institution, but without program-specific data, there's no way to know if graduates here trend toward the higher or lower end of that state spectrum.
The practical question: can your student articulate a clear career path that this degree supports? If they're using interdisciplinary studies strategically—combining relevant concentrations with internships in a specific field—peer programs suggest the financial foundation is workable. If it's a default choice without direction, the wide variation in outcomes becomes a real risk.
Where Chatham University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (45 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chatham UniversityPittsburgh | $43,810 | $43,593* | — | $25,939* | — |
 Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia | $60,663 | $72,174* | $82,021 | $25,878* | 0.36 |
 Franklin and Marshall CollegeLancaster | $68,380 | $43,593* | $60,796 | $19,875* | 0.46 |
 Moravian UniversityBethlehem | $52,000 | $37,824* | — | $27,000* | 0.71 |
| 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 Chatham University, approximately 21% 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 3 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.