Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at National Louis University

National Louis University's interdisciplinary studies program lands squarely in the middle nationally but performs notably better within Illinois, ranking in the 60th percentile among state programs. The $38,765 starting salary beats the Illinois median by $3,500—a meaningful difference when many students likely chose this program for in-state affordability at a school where 57% receive Pell grants. The $28,202 debt load sits slightly above state averages but remains manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73 that's better than many interdisciplinary programs.

The trajectory here is modest but steady: graduates see an 11% earnings increase from year one to year four, reaching nearly $43,000. While that won't match Eastern Illinois's $50,000+ outcomes, it's substantially better than what graduates from Roosevelt or Columbia College Chicago earn. For a program at a school with a 93% admission rate serving a significant Pell-eligible population, these are solid outcomes.

The fundamental value here is accessibility with reasonable results. This isn't competing with selective university programs, but it's delivering middle-of-the-pack national earnings with above-average state performance at a debt level that working-class families can actually manage. For students who need flexible admission and degree completion options, this represents a viable path to a $40,000+ career without crushing debt.