Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Colby College

Colby is among the nation's most selective colleges, with a 7% admission rate and average SAT of 1500, yet comparable interdisciplinary programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $35,000—creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 that puts nearly three-quarters of a year's salary toward repayment. While this figure sits at the national median for interdisciplinary studies programs, it represents a stark disconnect from the credentials and opportunities typically associated with highly selective institutions. The $26,500 estimated debt is manageable in absolute terms, but parents should recognize that interdisciplinary studies is one of the lower-earning bachelor's degrees, with even the top quarter of programs nationally producing just over $40,000 in first-year earnings.

The real question is whether Colby's network, alumni connections, and institutional prestige can push graduates significantly above these peer-program benchmarks. Elite liberal arts colleges often excel at placing students in graduate programs or competitive positions that don't immediately show up in first-year earnings data. However, families paying full freight—or taking on substantial debt—at one of Maine's most prestigious institutions should have frank conversations about post-graduation plans. If your child is targeting graduate school, consulting, finance, or other fields where Colby's selectivity opens doors, the interdisciplinary major may serve as a foundation. If they're planning to enter the workforce directly, investigate what specific career outcomes recent graduates have achieved rather than relying on these estimated figures from peer programs.