Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Furman University

A private liberal arts education comes with high stakes, and when earnings estimates suggest around $38,700 in the first year while debt loads approach $26,000, the immediate financial return falls short of what similar programs deliver across South Carolina. Interdisciplinary studies programs at other SC schools typically produce median earnings near $45,600—roughly $7,000 more annually than what peer programs nationally suggest for Furman graduates. That gap matters when you're carrying above-average debt from a selective institution.

The 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, but this masks a troubling reality: you're paying premium tuition (reflected in that $26,000 debt estimate, which exceeds the national median) for below-state-average earning potential. Interdisciplinary degrees can offer valuable intellectual breadth, but the field itself tends toward lower earnings compared to more specialized majors. At Furman, where only 11% of students receive Pell grants, most families are likely paying significant out-of-pocket costs on top of these loans.

For families considering full-pay or substantial borrowing beyond these estimates, the math becomes harder to justify. If this program represents your student's genuine intellectual passion and Furman's environment seems essential to their success, understand you're investing in the educational experience itself rather than near-term financial returns. Otherwise, comparable SC programs appear to offer better earning trajectories.