Analysis
A $25,878 debt load for first-year earnings around $37,000 produces a manageable 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio—on paper, this looks reasonable compared to the Tennessee median of $23,250. But these figures come from peer programs statewide and nationally, not Lane College's actual graduates, which means parents are working with an educated guess rather than a track record. For a school serving 79% Pell-eligible students, that uncertainty matters more than it would at wealthier institutions where families have more financial cushion.
What similar Tennessee programs suggest is that interdisciplinary studies degrees produce fairly consistent outcomes across the state—Lane's estimated earnings land right at the state median of $37,246, and even top-ranked programs like Vanderbilt and Belmont cluster within a narrow $37,000-$38,000 range. That stability is actually reassuring for parents: unlike fields where prestige dramatically affects earnings, this degree appears to deliver comparable first-year results regardless of institution.
The real question is whether these broad-based degrees provide enough career direction. With 79% of students receiving Pell grants, Lane serves families who need education to translate quickly into stable employment. Interdisciplinary programs can lead anywhere from education to nonprofit work to business roles, but that flexibility requires students to be strategic about internships and career planning. If your child has a clear professional path in mind where this credential makes sense, the estimated debt burden seems workable—but without Lane's actual outcomes data, you're betting on the statewide pattern holding true.
Where Lane College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (20 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Lane CollegeJackson | $11,790 | $37,247* | — | $25,878* | — |
 Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro | $9,506 | $38,272* | $38,553 | $26,000* | 0.68 |
 Vanderbilt UniversityNashville | $63,946 | $37,276* | $60,205 | $12,000* | 0.32 |
 Belmont UniversityNashville | $41,320 | $37,264* | $47,428 | $20,500* | 0.55 |
 University of MemphisMemphis | $10,344 | $37,229* | $39,408 | $30,430* | 0.82 |
 The University of Tennessee-MartinMartin | $10,208 | $32,674* | $34,781 | $29,750* | 0.91 |
| 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 Lane College, approximately 79% 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 6 similar programs in TN. Actual outcomes may vary.