Analysis
A first-year salary around $36,000 combined with roughly $13,000 in debt creates a manageable financial picture for an associate's degree, though the full story here requires caution. Both figures are national estimates—the Department of Education suppresses actual outcomes when graduate samples are too small, which is the case at Rhodes State. This means we're looking at what similar interdisciplinary programs typically produce nationwide, not what Rhodes State graduates specifically achieve.
The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 suggests monthly loan payments would consume about 6% of gross income under standard repayment—workable, though hardly comfortable on $36,000 annually. What's striking is the gap between national and Ohio outcomes: the median interdisciplinary associate's program in Ohio reports just $27,000 in first-year earnings, nearly $9,000 less than the national benchmark used here. If Rhodes State's actual graduates track closer to state norms than national ones, the financial picture tightens considerably.
Without confirmed outcomes specific to this program, you're essentially betting on Rhodes State outperforming the typical Ohio community college in this field. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree adds another variable—career outcomes depend heavily on which specific courses and skills your student emphasizes. If you're considering this program, push the school for placement data and alumni outcomes before committing, especially given the uncertainty in these estimates.
Where James A. Rhodes State College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies associates's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (13 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 James A. Rhodes State CollegeLima | $4,657 | $35,979* | — | $13,012* | — |
 Sinclair Community CollegeDayton | $3,435 | $27,036* | — | $10,089* | 0.37 |
| 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 James A. Rhodes State College, approximately 15% 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.