Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State's interdisciplinary studies program falls slightly below both state and national medians for earnings—graduates make about $36,725 in their first year, compared to roughly $38,000 statewide. At the same time, these students leave with notably less debt ($20,029 versus $27,836 state median), creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55. The modest earnings do improve to $44,842 by year four, a solid 22% increase that narrows the gap with higher-performing programs like Cincinnati's.

The tradeoff here is straightforward: your student will graduate from a flagship university with minimal debt burden, but won't see the stronger early earnings that justify interdisciplinary degrees at peer institutions. Being in the 40th percentile statewide means most comparable Ohio programs are delivering better outcomes. However, the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates tracked—makes it hard to know if these numbers represent the typical experience or just reflect a few graduates' career paths.

For families watching college costs, the relatively light debt load is reassuring. But if your student is considering interdisciplinary studies as preparation for graduate school or a specific career, you'll want to understand exactly what this degree entails at Ohio State—interdisciplinary programs vary wildly in focus and rigor across schools, and the middling outcomes here suggest this particular version may not be opening doors as effectively as alternatives.