Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Illinois Wesleyan University

With estimated debt of $28,200 and first-year earnings around $35,300 based on comparable Illinois programs, this interdisciplinary bachelor's degree sits at a 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio—manageable, but notably below what other Multi/Interdisciplinary programs in the state achieve. Eastern Illinois University's graduates in this field earn $50,900, nearly 45% more, while Illinois Wesleyan's estimated outcomes track closer to the state median. For a selective private school with a 45% admission rate and $1242 average SAT, you'd hope to see stronger earnings momentum.

The challenge with interdisciplinary programs is that outcomes heavily depend on what students actually study and which careers they pursue—the label tells you almost nothing about the skills acquired. At Illinois Wesleyan, the suppressed data (too few graduates to report) suggests this may be a small, customized program rather than a high-volume track. That could mean thoughtful, individualized design, but it also means you're investing in something without clear employment pathways proven by prior graduates from this specific school. Peer programs in Illinois show enormous variation—from $26,000 to over $50,000—reinforcing that the program structure and focus matter immensely.

Before committing to this path at roughly $28,000 in debt, understand exactly what disciplines your child would combine and how those translate to specific job categories. The estimated numbers suggest modest but viable returns, not a standout value.