Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Jefferson Community and Technical College

The sharp 32% earnings decline between years one and four raises serious questions about this program's career trajectory, though the small sample size means a few individual stories could be skewing the entire picture dramatically. Jefferson's interdisciplinary associate program starts strong—matching the 75th percentile nationally at $42,549—but drops to just $29,085 by year four, falling well below what graduates from Bluegrass Community and Technical College maintain throughout their careers.

That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 looks manageable against first-year income, and the $15,503 in loans sits reasonably below many associate programs. But when earnings crater in subsequent years, that calculation changes entirely. At $29,085 annually, graduates would struggle to service even moderate debt while covering basic living expenses in Louisville. The 60th percentile ranking among Kentucky programs confirms this isn't leading the pack, despite that promising initial number.

For parents considering this path, the critical unknown is *why* earnings drop so steeply. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, this could reflect students who pivoted to part-time work, continued their education elsewhere, or faced program-specific employment challenges. Before committing, demand concrete answers about where recent graduates actually work four years out and whether the program functions primarily as a transfer springboard rather than a terminal degree—a distinction that fundamentally changes its value proposition.