Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Louisiana Tech University

Louisiana Tech's interdisciplinary studies program leaves graduates earning just below state and national medians, but the debt picture tells a more favorable story. At $33,829 after one year, graduates earn about $1,200 less than Louisiana's median for this degree and trail the national median by roughly $5,000. Among the state's 11 programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile—middle of the pack—though top programs like Northwestern State show interdisciplinary degrees can launch careers earning $20,000 more annually.

The saving grace here is relatively low debt. At $30,693, borrowing sits well below both state and national medians, landing in just the 7th percentile nationally for debt load. The 0.91 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe slightly less than their first year's salary—manageable territory if those earnings grow steadily. For Louisiana residents paying in-state tuition at a mid-tier public university, this represents a reasonable cost structure even if the immediate payoff isn't spectacular.

The core question is whether an interdisciplinary degree from Louisiana Tech opens doors to career advancement that justifies modest starting earnings. If your child has a clear path for leveraging this flexible degree—perhaps graduate school, entrepreneurship, or a specific industry where this credential serves as a foundation—the low debt makes it financially workable. But if the career plan is unclear, those $33,000 starting earnings could feel limiting, particularly when more focused programs at similar institutions often command higher salaries.