Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at George Washington University

A bachelor's degree from George Washington University typically carries $25,878 in debt—right around the national median for similar programs—but the earnings picture requires careful interpretation. Because GW's graduate sample for this interdisciplinary studies program is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes, we're working with national benchmark figures of $38,704 in first-year earnings. That's notably lower than what American University's interdisciplinary studies graduates report ($49,486), suggesting this program may underperform compared to its DC peers, though we can't know for certain without actual GW data.

The 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within manageable territory, but context matters here. GW is a selective institution (44% admission rate, 1433 average SAT) with a price tag to match, serving a predominantly affluent student body (only 15% receive Pell grants). If national patterns hold true at GW, graduates would be earning substantially less than peers in other majors at the same school, where higher salaries would be more typical given the institution's profile and DC's robust job market. Interdisciplinary studies programs can vary wildly in career preparation depending on how students structure their coursework and what connections they build.

Before committing to this program at GW's tuition levels, demand more transparency: ask the department directly about graduate outcomes, typical career paths, and whether students leverage the DC location for internships that lead somewhere concrete. Without actual data, you're essentially betting that GW's version of this degree performs at least at national averages, which would be disappointing given the institution's resources and location.