Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Hood College

Hood College's interdisciplinary studies bachelor's falls right at Maryland's median for this field, with peer programs suggesting first-year earnings around $38,000 and debt near $24,000. That 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates owe roughly eight months of their first year's salary—sits in manageable territory, though the relatively modest starting salary means monthly loan payments could still feel tight early on. For context, similar programs at Maryland schools range from about $31,000 to $46,000 in first-year earnings, so this estimate represents a middle-of-the-pack outcome.

The bigger question is what "interdisciplinary studies" actually means for your student's career trajectory. These programs, by nature, don't point toward a single professional path the way nursing or accounting degrees do. That flexibility can be valuable if your child has a clear plan for how to package their degree—perhaps combining it with internships, a minor, or specific skills that employers recognize. Without that plan, however, the modest starting salary becomes more concerning. With 36% of Hood students receiving Pell grants, the college clearly serves students who need their degree to translate directly into income.

The estimate here reflects what happens at comparable Maryland programs, not Hood's specific track record with these graduates. Given that uncertainty and the field's inherent lack of career definition, this works best as an affordable option when your student knows exactly how they'll use it—not as a default choice.