Analysis
Middle Georgia State's interdisciplinary studies program carries an estimated $26,000 in debt—a figure that becomes more concerning when peer programs across the state typically lead to first-year earnings around $28,000. The estimated $35,000 earnings here come from national patterns rather than this school's actual outcomes, and given that Georgia programs in this field tend to underperform the national median significantly, there's reason to question whether graduates here will actually reach that benchmark.
The 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, but it assumes those national earnings materialize. If this program tracks closer to Georgia's typical outcomes—about $28,000—the financial picture shifts considerably, with debt approaching a full year's salary. For a school with open admissions and 41% of students on Pell grants, many families are taking on this debt with limited financial cushion. Interdisciplinary studies degrees can be valuable for students with clear career plans, but the vague career pathways this major typically offers make the debt load riskier.
Without concrete outcomes data, you're making a bet on limited information. The safest approach: only pursue this if your child has a specific employer or graduate program in mind that requires just a bachelor's degree—any bachelor's degree. Otherwise, consider programs at Middle Georgia State with reported earnings data, or look at Georgia schools where interdisciplinary studies graduates have demonstrably better outcomes.
Where Middle Georgia State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi-/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Middle Georgia State UniversityMacon | $4,432 | $35,282* | — | $25,996* | — |
 College of Coastal GeorgiaBrunswick | $3,483 | $32,049* | — | $24,725* | 0.77 |
 Savannah State UniversitySavannah | $5,498 | $23,631* | — | $35,576* | 1.51 |
| National Median | — | $35,282* | — | $26,000* | 0.74 |
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 Middle Georgia State University, approximately 41% 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 national median of 55 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.