Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Christopher Newport University

Christopher Newport's interdisciplinary studies program faces a significant challenge: its graduates earn $46,359 at the median in Virginia—but CNU's grads start at just $35,953. That puts them in the bottom quartile among Virginia's 21 programs offering this major, trailing not just UVA and Richmond but also regional competitors like Old Dominion by more than $10,000. Even four years out, when earnings reach $42,899, CNU graduates remain well below what peers at other Virginia schools earn in their first year.

The debt load of $26,000 is manageable on its own, creating a 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio that wouldn't raise red flags at a typical institution. But here's the problem: students could attend several other Virginia public universities and likely earn substantially more from day one while taking on similar debt. The 19% earnings growth over four years is positive, yet it only narrows—not closes—the gap with stronger programs.

For an in-state family, this program makes financial sense only if there are compelling non-financial reasons to choose CNU specifically. The interdisciplinary major's flexibility can be valuable for students with clear career plans, but the earnings data suggests CNU graduates struggle to translate that flexibility into competitive salaries. If cost is a primary concern, investigate how CNU's outcomes compare to your next-best in-state option.