Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Notre Dame de Namur University

A $26,500 debt burden for first-year earnings around $35,000 creates a manageable but tight financial start—peer programs nationally suggest an annual payment of roughly $3,000 on that debt, which is about 8% of pre-tax income. That's workable on paper, though it leaves little cushion for California's high cost of living, particularly in the Bay Area where this campus is located.

The challenge with interdisciplinary studies degrees is their breadth cuts both ways. While they offer flexibility to explore multiple fields, employers often value more specialized credentials. When similar programs nationally show first-year earnings clustering in the low-to-mid $30,000s, it suggests these degrees may require graduates to do extra legwork—networking, internships, or additional certifications—to translate their broad education into competitive job offers. The estimated earnings here align with what other California programs report, but those figures barely keep pace with local living costs in the Bay Area.

For parents, the decision hinges on what their student plans to do with this degree. If it's paired with a clear career path, strong internship connections, or plans for graduate school, the moderate debt burden won't derail them. But if this is primarily about finishing "any bachelor's degree," understand that similar programs typically produce modest starting salaries that make California living arrangements particularly challenging without additional income sources or career strategy.