Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at College of the Holy Cross

Holy Cross's interdisciplinary studies program sits right at the state median for earnings, but here's the context that matters: with only 27 graduates tracked, we're looking at a very small data set that may not tell the full story. The $41,820 starting salary and $48,040 four-year mark put graduates ahead of most programs nationally (60th percentile), though trailing top Massachusetts options like Boston University and Brandeis by $10,000-13,000 annually.

The debt picture is manageable—$27,000 represents a 0.65 ratio to first-year earnings, below both state and national medians. That's a responsible load for a liberal arts degree, particularly at a selective school where the 21% admission rate suggests strong peer networks and institutional resources. The 15% growth in earnings over four years shows graduates gaining traction, though interdisciplinary degrees can take time to find their career footing compared to more specialized majors.

The real question for parents: are you paying for the Holy Cross experience and network, or primarily for this degree program? The small graduate count suggests this isn't a flagship major here. If your child is using this degree as a foundation while building skills elsewhere—through internships, double majors, or career services—it could work well. But if you're comparing purely on earnings potential, you're paying selective-college tuition for middle-of-the-pack Massachusetts outcomes in a field where career trajectories vary widely.