Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Kenyon College

A selective liberal arts college like Kenyon charging roughly $26,000 in debt for first-year earnings around $38,000 raises immediate questions about return on investment. Similar interdisciplinary programs in Ohio typically produce this same earnings level—the state median sits at $38,266—which means graduates aren't breaking from the pack despite Kenyon's 31% admission rate and 1440 average SAT score. The 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it's also not the financial cushion most families expect from a highly selective institution where only 10% of students receive Pell grants.

The challenge with interdisciplinary studies is that the broad, flexible curriculum—often Kenyon's selling point—doesn't necessarily translate to higher starting salaries. Programs at Cincinnati's various campuses report first-year earnings above $44,000, demonstrating that Ohio employers will pay more for certain interdisciplinary combinations, but those outcomes appear tied to specific program structures rather than institutional prestige alone. The national benchmark of $38,704 confirms this is simply what most interdisciplinary bachelor's graduates earn initially, regardless of where they studied.

For families considering full-pay attendance, understand that Kenyon's estimated debt figure assumes substantial financial aid. The actual investment could be far steeper, and you're looking at a degree path that, based on peer programs statewide, delivers entry-level earnings rather than the premium you might expect from a college of this caliber.