Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Highlands College of Montana Tech

A debt load around $13,000 for an associate's degree falls well below the national median for this field, which matters when similar interdisciplinary programs nationwide suggest first-year earnings near $36,000. That 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with about four months of gross income—a manageable starting point. The challenge is that interdisciplinary studies programs vary wildly in focus and outcomes, and with only four such programs in Montana, this field lacks the state-specific data to confirm whether Highlands College's approach aligns with local employer needs.

The national benchmark shows these programs can reach $42,500 at the 75th percentile, but there's no visibility into what distinguishes top performers from average ones in this category. For a Pell-serving school like Highlands (16% of students), the relatively modest debt estimate suggests financial aid is helping keep costs reasonable, but parents should dig into what specific skills or credentials this particular interdisciplinary degree provides. Without reported outcomes from Montana peer programs, you're relying entirely on national patterns that may not reflect Butte's job market.

The math works if your student has a clear plan for leveraging this degree—perhaps as a stepping stone to a bachelor's or into a specific local industry. But the interdisciplinary label requires extra due diligence about career pathways since the degree itself doesn't signal an obvious profession to employers.