Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State's interdisciplinary studies program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—hovering near national medians for both earnings ($38,272 first year) and debt ($26,000). Within Tennessee, it actually performs better than you might expect, ranking in the 60th percentile and matching earnings at more selective schools like Vanderbilt and Belmont for this particular major.

The real challenge here is what happens after graduation: earnings essentially flatline, growing just 1% over four years to $38,553. That stagnation means graduates aren't building momentum toward higher pay, though the relatively modest debt keeps the financial burden manageable. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 is reasonable—students can handle repayment without excessive strain—but the lack of income growth means less room for financial progress over time.

For families considering this program, the value depends heavily on what comes next. If your student plans to pursue graduate school or use this degree as a stepping stone to a specific career with clear advancement, the affordable debt makes sense. But if the bachelor's degree is the endpoint, recognize that $38,000 will likely remain the ceiling rather than the floor. Among Tennessee's interdisciplinary programs, MTSU offers competitive outcomes at a moderate price point, but the earnings trajectory doesn't suggest this major creates strong upward mobility on its own.