Est. Earnings (1yr)
$35,979
Est. from national median (29 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$13,012
Est. from national median (30 programs)

Analysis

A 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests this associate's degree in Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies carries manageable debt relative to first-year income—at least based on what comparable programs nationally produce. The estimated $13,012 in debt aligns closely with the national median, while projected earnings of $35,979 would put graduates substantially above the $27,036 that Ohio programs typically yield. That $9,000 gap is meaningful, though it's worth remembering these figures come from peer institutions rather than Ohio University's own graduates in this program.

The interdisciplinary nature of this degree offers flexibility but lacks clear career pathways that often come with more specialized credentials. While the debt load appears reasonable, the national earnings benchmark sits below $36,000—a modest starting point that may limit how quickly graduates can pay down loans or save. The comparison to Sinclair Community College, where reported earnings come in at $27,000, suggests Ohio University's program might command better outcomes, but without actual graduate data from Athens, that remains speculative.

For families evaluating this program, the estimated numbers point toward affordability rather than financial risk, but they don't illuminate whether this particular interdisciplinary curriculum leads anywhere specific. Before committing, probe what graduates actually do after completing this degree at Ohio University—job placement rates, transfer patterns to four-year programs, and whether the flexibility translates into actual opportunity or just delayed career decisions.

Where Ohio University-Main Campus Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies associates's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (13 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Ohio University-Main CampusAthens$13,746$35,979*$13,012*
Sinclair Community CollegeDayton$3,435$27,036*$10,089*0.37
National Median$35,979*$13,023*0.36
* Estimated from similar programs
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ohio University-Main Campus, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 29 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.