Analysis
Lake Erie College's interdisciplinary studies program carries an estimated debt load of roughly $26,000—close to the national median—but projected first-year earnings of $38,266 lag behind what graduates from Cincinnati's programs typically see. Those Cincinnati campuses report earnings around $44,000, creating a $6,000 annual earnings gap that could make debt repayment noticeably harder. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 isn't disastrous, but it means your child would start their career owing about two-thirds of their first year's salary.
The challenge here is that these figures come from comparable programs statewide and nationally rather than Lake Erie's actual graduate outcomes. Interdisciplinary studies programs can vary tremendously in curriculum focus and career preparation, so what holds true for the median Ohio program may not reflect this particular school's results. The modest Pell grant enrollment (29%) and mid-range admission profile suggest Lake Erie serves a traditional private college population, but without program-specific data, you're operating on educated guesses about post-graduation prospects.
If your child is drawn to Lake Erie specifically, contact the career services office for concrete information: where recent interdisciplinary studies graduates actually landed jobs, what they're earning, and how quickly they found work. The estimated numbers suggest reasonable but unremarkable value—you'll want actual outcomes to justify the tuition investment.
Where Lake Erie College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (26 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,032 | $38,266* | — | $25,878* | — | |
| $13,570 | $44,438* | $51,456 | $27,000* | 0.61 | |
| $6,554 | $44,438* | $51,456 | $27,000* | 0.61 | |
| $6,992 | $44,438* | $51,456 | $27,000* | 0.61 | |
| $17,809 | $39,484* | $42,994 | —* | — | |
| $41,788 | $38,266* | $36,237 | $33,544* | 0.88 | |
| National Median | — | $38,704* | — | $25,495* | 0.66 |
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 Lake Erie College, approximately 29% 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 median of 9 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.