Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Concordia University-Wisconsin

Concordia University-Wisconsin's interdisciplinary program produces earnings that land squarely in the middle for Wisconsin but lag significantly behind the national average—graduates start at $33,484 versus $38,704 nationally. The $26,000 in debt isn't excessive, creating a manageable 0.78 debt-to-earnings ratio, but when you're earning below-median wages, "manageable" is relative. Notably, Wisconsin's median for this program matches Concordia's exactly, suggesting the state's interdisciplinary degrees generally underperform the national market.

What makes this harder to evaluate is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so these numbers could shift considerably with a larger cohort. The 10% earnings growth to $36,732 by year four is modest but steady, keeping pace with inflation without pulling ahead. For context, University of Wisconsin-Superior's interdisciplinary graduates earn $41,207, demonstrating that stronger outcomes exist within the state.

The real question is whether an interdisciplinary degree serves your child's specific goals. If they need flexibility to combine interests before focusing their career, this program delivers that at a reasonable cost. But if they're seeking strong immediate earnings, both the state and national data suggest more targeted programs typically pay better. At this price point and with these outcomes, it's a defensible choice only if the interdisciplinary approach itself is essential to your child's path.