Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Lewis-Clark State College

Lewis-Clark State College's Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies associate program shows estimated first-year earnings around $36,000 and debt near $13,000—figures drawn from peer programs nationally since this specific program's graduate cohort was too small to report publicly. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 suggests the debt burden is manageable relative to early career income, meaning graduates would owe roughly a third of their first year's salary. For context, this field typically produces wide variation in outcomes nationally, with the top quarter of programs showing earnings above $42,500, so there's meaningful upside depending on how graduates apply this broad credential.

The challenge with interdisciplinary associate degrees is their flexibility cuts both ways: they can open doors to various careers or leave graduates without a clear professional identity in the job market. Based on comparable programs, the estimated $36,000 starting point puts graduates above poverty-level wages but below what many specialized two-year technical programs deliver. The relatively low estimated debt is the program's strongest feature—borrowing $13,000 for any credential limits long-term financial risk compared to programs where students accumulate twice that amount.

If your student is considering this path, recognize you're making decisions with limited visibility into this specific program's track record. The peer-based estimates suggest reasonable affordability but modest earnings potential. This works best as a stepping stone—either toward a bachelor's degree or into employment where the associate credential meets minimum requirements and experience matters more than specialization.