Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Plymouth State University

Plymouth State's interdisciplinary studies program starts graduates at just $31,495—roughly $10,000 below the New Hampshire median for this degree and landing in the bottom quarter of similar programs statewide. That's a tough launch financially, though the 36% earnings jump to $42,660 by year four shows meaningful career momentum. The debt load of $26,856 is reasonable and roughly aligned with what other schools charge, but when paired with that weak first-year salary, recent graduates face nearly a dollar of debt for every dollar earned initially.

The program serves an accessible mission—Plymouth State admits 91% of applicants and enrolls a modest share of Pell-eligible students—but the earnings gap is substantial. Graduates at UNH's College of Professional Studies earn 57% more right out of the gate, and even Keene State graduates start $12,000 higher. While this degree does eventually catch up somewhat (the year-four figure reaches the lower end of competitive territory), those early years matter when you're managing loan payments and establishing financial stability.

For families weighing this option, the decision hinges on what else is being considered. If Plymouth State offers the right fit for a student who might not thrive at a more selective school, the manageable debt and eventual earnings growth make it workable. But if your child could access New Hampshire's stronger interdisciplinary programs at UNH or Keene State, the higher starting salaries there would ease financial pressure considerably during those critical first years after graduation.