Analysis
Minnesota State-Mankato's interdisciplinary studies program sits in the bottom half of Minnesota options, earning about $7,000 less than the state median four years out. More concerning is the earnings trajectory: graduates actually see their income decline by 7% between their first and fourth year out, dropping from $37,880 to $35,235. Compare that to top-performing programs at U of M-Crookston ($54,656) or Metro State ($49,751), and the gap becomes substantial—roughly $15,000-20,000 annually by year four.
The moderate debt load of $30,325 isn't extreme, but paired with declining earnings, it creates a challenging repayment scenario. Your child would be managing loan payments while earning less than when they started their career. The program does perform better than the national median on debt (9th percentile), but that advantage matters less when the earnings can't sustain comfortable repayment.
If your child is set on an interdisciplinary degree in Minnesota, the data suggests looking at Metro State or one of the University of Minnesota campuses first. Those programs deliver measurably stronger outcomes without necessarily carrying more debt. This particular program might work for students with specific career plans that justify the lower earnings, but it's not the value play among Minnesota's interdisciplinary options.
Where Minnesota State University-Mankato Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | $37,880 | $35,235 | -7% |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | $42,339 | $56,840 | +34% |
| University of Minnesota-Crookston | $54,656 | $54,593 | -0% |
| Metropolitan State University | $49,751 | $52,538 | +6% |
| Saint Cloud State University | $42,192 | $44,070 | +4% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (22 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato | $9,490 | $37,880 | $35,235 | $30,325 | 0.80 |
 University of Minnesota-CrookstonCrookston | $13,120 | $54,656 | $54,593 | $31,000 | 0.57 |
 Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul | $9,780 | $49,751 | $52,538 | $35,110 | 0.71 |
 University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis | $16,488 | $42,339 | $56,840 | $20,500 | 0.48 |
 Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud | $10,117 | $42,192 | $44,070 | $28,551 | 0.68 |
 Winona State UniversityWinona | $10,498 | $40,406 | $43,717 | $29,750 | 0.74 |
| National Median | — | $38,704 | — | $25,495 | 0.66 |
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 Minnesota State University-Mankato, approximately 20% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 45 graduates with reported earnings and 53 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.