Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University's interdisciplinary studies graduates start earning about $7,000 less than the Arizona median for this degree—landing in just the 25th percentile statewide. That's a significant gap when you consider the program costs roughly the same as competitors like University of Arizona, which produces graduates earning nearly $40,000 in their first year. The debt load itself isn't alarming at $26,899, but paired with below-average starting earnings, it creates a debt-to-income ratio that takes longer to manage than most Arizona alternatives.

The silver lining is genuine earnings growth: graduates see a 29% jump from year one to year four, reaching nearly $42,000. This trajectory suggests the degree opens doors that take time to walk through, perhaps because interdisciplinary studies graduates need extra years to translate their broad skill set into marketable expertise. Still, even after four years, these graduates remain behind their peers from other Arizona programs who started higher.

For families weighing this program, the question comes down to cost versus alternatives. If Northern Arizona offers substantially lower tuition or your student has compelling reasons to attend (location, specific faculty, combined programs), the gap narrows. But if you're comparing similar net costs across Arizona schools, understand you're likely accepting $7,000 less in starting salary for credentials that eventually catch up but never quite lead the pack.