Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Montclair State University

Montclair State's interdisciplinary bachelor's leads to estimated first-year earnings around $35,000—a figure drawn from national peer programs that suggests graduates face a challenging financial start. With an estimated debt load of roughly $26,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 looks manageable on paper, but both numbers hide significant uncertainty. Other New Jersey schools offering similar programs report slightly higher earnings (around $37,000), though the difference is modest and may not meaningfully change the calculus for most families.

The real concern here is what "interdisciplinary studies" means in practice. This catch-all degree can signal either a thoughtfully designed program that bridges fields or simply a convenient path to graduation. The estimated $35,000 starting salary falls below what many families expect from a four-year degree, especially in New Jersey's expensive job market. For students at Montclair—where 44% receive Pell grants—that salary could make loan repayment difficult even with relatively moderate debt.

Before committing, push the school for specifics: What skills does this program actually teach? What do graduates do for work? Because the data here comes from similar programs elsewhere, your best intelligence will come from talking to recent alumni. If the program can't articulate clear career pathways or if it's being used primarily as a degree-completion vehicle, the financial return may not justify the investment.