Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Northeastern University Oakland

Northeastern's Oakland campus charges selective-university tuition (17% admission rate, 1472 average SAT) but the estimated outcomes for this interdisciplinary bachelor's suggest a disconnect between institutional prestige and earnings potential. Based on comparable programs across California, graduates might earn around $40,400 in their first year—barely matching the state median for this major and significantly trailing what the state's top programs produce. UCLA and UC Berkeley graduates in similar interdisciplinary programs earn $46,000+, while University of the Pacific's program yields over $100,000, showing the dramatic range this major can produce depending on where you study.

The estimated debt picture offers some relief at $22,875, which comes in below both national and state medians for interdisciplinary studies. That creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57, meaning the estimated debt load equals roughly seven months of first-year salary. Still, for a family paying Northeastern's tuition, the question becomes whether these projected outcomes justify the investment when the same degree at a UC campus—likely costing less for California residents—appears to deliver comparable or better returns.

The fundamental challenge here is that "interdisciplinary studies" can mean vastly different things at different schools, and without actual outcomes data from Northeastern Oakland specifically, you're making an expensive bet on an unproven track record. The estimates suggest mediocre returns for what's likely a premium price tag.