Analysis
Borrowing over $21,000 for a two-year degree—based on what similar Minnesota community colleges report—creates immediate financial pressure when comparable interdisciplinary programs nationally produce first-year earnings around $36,000. That estimated debt burden is 63% higher than the national median for these programs, suggesting Minnesota's community college students in this field face steeper financial hurdles than peers elsewhere.
The four-year earnings jump to $64,502 offers genuine encouragement, indicating significant income growth for those who stay employed in related fields. However, that bright spot comes with major caveats: we're working with estimated figures based on peer programs since this specific program's graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to report. The debt estimate comes from just three comparable Minnesota programs, and initial earnings are extrapolated from national patterns—neither may reflect what actually happens to Inver Hills graduates.
For parents, this means weighing an associate's degree with above-average debt against limited program-specific outcomes data. If your student plans to transfer these credits toward a bachelor's degree, that debt becomes the foundation of a larger educational investment. If they're stopping at the associate's level, the estimated half-year's salary in debt is manageable but only if those four-year earnings projections hold true—something you can't verify with confidence given the estimation methods here.
Where Inver Hills Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies associates's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inver Hills Community College | — | $64,502 | — |
| Thomas Edison State University | $58,827 | $80,459 | +37% |
| Central Carolina Technical College | $59,456 | $57,364 | -4% |
| Tri-County Technical College | $51,330 | $52,881 | +3% |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College | $48,307 | $50,784 | +5% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies associates's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Inver Hills Community CollegeInver Grove Heights | $6,007 | $35,979* | $64,502 | $21,175* | — |
 Central Carolina Technical CollegeSumter | $5,715 | $59,456* | $57,364 | —* | — |
 Thomas Edison State UniversityTrenton | $6,638 | $58,827* | $80,459 | $11,312* | 0.19 |
 Tri-County Technical CollegePendleton | $4,448 | $51,330* | $52,881 | —* | — |
 Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington | $4,706 | $48,307* | $50,784 | $13,077* | 0.27 |
 Aiken Technical CollegeGraniteville | $5,044 | $45,236* | — | —* | — |
| National Median | — | $35,979* | — | $13,023* | 0.36 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Inver Hills Community College, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 29 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.