Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Iowa State University

Iowa State's interdisciplinary studies program starts graduates at $36,006—below both the national and Iowa medians for this degree. More concerning, even with 45% earnings growth over four years, graduates remain in the bottom half nationally, barely reaching $52,013 by year four. The debt load of $25,687 matches the state median, creating a manageable but uninspiring 0.71 debt-to-income ratio.

Here's what complicates the picture: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making it statistically shaky. Interdisciplinary studies programs vary wildly in focus and career outcomes depending on how students structure their coursework. At a research university like Iowa State, these programs often serve as vehicles for students to combine STEM fields with other disciplines, which could explain why earnings jump significantly after the first year as graduates find their footing. But the current data doesn't support that optimistic interpretation—these graduates are earning less than peers at University of Iowa by graduation.

For an 89% admission rate school with solid academic credentials, this program underperforms. Unless your student has a specific, strategic reason to pursue an interdisciplinary path at Iowa State (like combining agriculture with business or engineering with design), the modest starting salary and below-average trajectory suggest they'd be better served by a more focused major at this institution.