Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Gordon College

A $26,500 debt load against first-year earnings of roughly $35,000—the national typical picture for interdisciplinary studies bachelor's degrees—translates to manageable monthly payments but a tight budget in those early years. Based on similar programs nationwide, graduates can expect debt payments around $300 monthly on a standard 10-year plan, which is feasible but leaves little margin for error on a $35,000 salary, particularly in Massachusetts where living costs run high.

The estimated earnings here lag behind what comparable programs in Massachusetts typically produce. Fitchburg State's interdisciplinary studies graduates, for instance, earn about $39,500 in their first year—roughly $4,200 more annually. That gap matters when you're managing student debt in an expensive state. Gordon's $44,600 sticker price for tuition and fees means many families will need to rely heavily on financial aid to keep debt from climbing well above these estimates, especially given that only 21% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting limited institutional aid for middle-income families.

The core question isn't whether this degree is affordable in isolation—the debt-to-earnings ratio sits below 1.0, which is reasonable—but whether it's the right investment for your family given Gordon's price point and the likelihood of below-state-average starting salaries in a field where earnings vary widely based on how students apply their interdisciplinary training.