Analysis
Claremont McKenna's interdisciplinary bachelor's sits at a curious intersection: an elite college with a median SAT of 1514 and an 11% acceptance rate, yet similar programs in California suggest starting salaries around $40,400—virtually identical to the state median. For a family considering CMC's selective academic environment, this estimated earnings figure deserves scrutiny, particularly when compared to UCLA grads in comparable programs earning $46,000 and UC Berkeley graduates reaching $45,000.
The estimated debt of $22,875, based on similar private institutions in California, translates to a manageable 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio—well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. However, this modest debt figure likely understates the full cost picture at CMC, where total attendance costs exceed what federal student loans alone would cover. Most families at highly selective private colleges supplement loans with savings, parent contributions, or private borrowing that won't show up in these federal data.
The practical concern here is whether CMC's interdisciplinary program leads to outcomes that justify its selective admissions profile. UC schools with similar interdisciplinary programs produce notably higher starting salaries from peer data, suggesting that prestige alone doesn't guarantee earnings advantages. If your student is admitted to CMC, ask specifically about career outcomes for interdisciplinary studies graduates—where they're employed, what sectors hire them, and how the program's flexibility translates into job market positioning.
Where Claremont McKenna College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (50 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremont | $64,150 | $40,433* | — | $22,875* | — |
 University of the PacificStockton | $55,340 | $104,803* | $165,593 | $15,500* | 0.15 |
 University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles | $13,747 | $46,154* | $65,593 | $15,000* | 0.32 |
 California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata | $7,913 | $45,490* | $38,755 | $18,196* | 0.40 |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $45,461* | $76,643 | $14,500* | 0.32 |
 University of California-IrvineIrvine | $14,237 | $35,404* | $51,708 | $16,332* | 0.46 |
| 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 Claremont McKenna College, approximately 19% 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 8 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.