Est. Earnings (1yr)
$39,918
Est. from KY median (7 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$13,023
Est. from KY median (7 programs)

Analysis

Similar multi-disciplinary associate programs in Kentucky typically start graduates around $39,900 in their first year, with an estimated debt load of about $13,000—a manageable 0.33 ratio that suggests the credential won't be financially overwhelming. What's more encouraging is the four-year earnings figure of $51,267, which represents actual reported data and shows meaningful income growth over time. This trajectory puts Owensboro CTC's program in a reasonable position among Kentucky's community colleges, though notably below top performers like Bluegrass CTC where graduates average $48,307.

The challenge with interdisciplinary studies programs is their generalist nature—they open doors but don't necessarily lead to specific career paths. That $39,900 starting estimate aligns with Kentucky's state median for these programs but trails the higher-earning options available at peer institutions. For families, this matters because the program's value depends heavily on what your student does with it: whether they use it as a transfer foundation, pair it with work experience, or leverage it for a specific local opportunity.

Given the relatively low debt burden and the documented earnings growth by year four, this program works best as a strategic stepping stone rather than a destination degree. If your student has a clear plan—transferring to complete a bachelor's, entering a field where an associate's opens doors, or already working in a job where this credential unlocks advancement—the numbers support moving forward.

Where Owensboro Community and Technical College Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Owensboro Community and Technical College—$51,267—
Bluegrass Community and Technical College$48,307$50,784+5%
West Kentucky Community and Technical College$39,918$41,307+3%
Ashland Community and Technical College$29,638$35,690+20%
Maysville Community and Technical College$42,718$29,597-31%

Compare to Similar Programs in Kentucky

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies associates's programs at peer institutions in Kentucky (16 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Owensboro Community and Technical CollegeOwensboro$4,656$39,918*$51,267$13,023*—
Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington$4,706$48,307*$50,784$13,077*0.27
Maysville Community and Technical CollegeMaysville$4,656$42,718*$29,597$14,078*0.33
Jefferson Community and Technical CollegeLouisville$4,706$42,549*$29,085$15,503*0.36
West Kentucky Community and Technical CollegePaducah$4,656$39,918*$41,307$10,000*0.25
Somerset Community CollegeSomerset$4,656$31,643*$25,058$13,023*0.41
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 Owensboro Community and Technical College, approximately 30% 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 median of 7 similar programs in KY. Actual outcomes may vary.