Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Houston Christian University

Houston Christian's interdisciplinary bachelor's costs students $31,000 in debt—slightly above the state norm—for a program where early earnings remain modest. Peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $35,000, which would put graduates at a manageable 0.88 debt-to-earnings ratio, better than 84% of similar programs nationwide. By year four, the median climbs to $39,000, showing steady but unspectacular growth typical of broad liberal arts degrees.

The challenge lies in Texas specifically, where interdisciplinary programs typically produce lower outcomes than the national average. The state median sits at just $28,000, meaning this program's estimated trajectory looks stronger by comparison—but parents should recognize that half of Texas students in similar majors earn less than what these estimates suggest. With 54% of students on Pell grants, many families here are stretching to afford that $31,000 debt load on earnings that may take years to grow substantially.

The practical question: can your student leverage the flexibility of an interdisciplinary degree into a specific career path? The debt is reasonable if they graduate with clear direction—whether toward graduate school, a focused professional track, or a field where this broad credential opens doors. Without that clarity, the combination of moderate debt and modest starting pay creates little margin for error in a competitive Texas job market where employers often favor more specialized degrees.