Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Nova Southeastern University

A bachelor's degree requiring nearly $30,000 in debt to earn just over $35,000 in the first year demands careful scrutiny. These figures come from similar interdisciplinary programs across Florida rather than Nova Southeastern's specific outcomes, but they paint an uninspiring picture: the 0.83 debt-to-earnings ratio means borrowing almost a full year's salary for credentials that peer programs typically produce at this earning level. Florida's interdisciplinary programs actually show a lower median debt of about $24,000, suggesting this path may saddle students with more borrowing than typical for the field.

The bigger concern is what interdisciplinary studies degrees actually lead to. With first-year earnings matching the statewide median almost exactly, this isn't a program commanding premium pay—and notably, Nova Southeastern's outcomes weren't reported, leaving you to rely on approximations. Other Florida schools offering this major show dramatic variation, from University of Central Florida's $37,000 to Hodges University's $61,000, underscoring how much the specific program matters. An interdisciplinary degree's value depends entirely on how well it's designed and what career pathways it opens.

Before committing, insist on seeing Nova Southeastern's actual graduate outcomes—employment rates, career destinations, and where their interdisciplinary graduates actually land. If the school can't demonstrate clear professional outcomes beyond these state-level estimates, your child may be paying private university prices for a degree whose market value remains genuinely uncertain.