Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Loyola University New Orleans

Loyola's interdisciplinary studies program comes with an estimated $26,500 in debt—slightly above the national norm for this major—while peer programs across the country typically produce first-year earnings around $35,000. That 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable repayment under standard federal loan terms, but it's worth recognizing that this major tends to produce modest early earnings regardless of where students complete it. The challenge isn't specific to Loyola; it's inherent to how the job market values broadly focused liberal arts degrees in those critical first years after graduation.

What complicates the picture here is that we're working entirely with estimates drawn from similar programs nationally, since Loyola's graduate cohort in this major is too small for the Department of Education to report actual outcomes. This makes it harder to assess what distinguishes Loyola's version of the program—whether it connects students to New Orleans employers effectively, whether the flexibility serves career-changers well, or whether students leverage it as a pathway to graduate school. The national benchmarks suggest this major rarely produces standout earnings anywhere, with even the top-performing programs nationally reaching only $40,000.

For families considering this program, the question isn't just affordability—it's purpose. If your student has a clear plan for how an interdisciplinary degree serves specific career goals or graduate school plans, the estimated debt load won't crush them. But if the appeal is simply keeping options open, understand that similar programs typically lead to entry-level wages that make loan repayment a multi-year priority.