Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Prescott College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67—based on what similar interdisciplinary programs nationally produce—suggests manageable repayment at just over two-thirds of first-year income. However, peer programs in Arizona typically show stronger outcomes, with median earnings around $46,000 compared to the estimated $38,700 here. That $7,000 gap matters when you're calculating loan payments and rent. The estimated $25,878 debt load aligns closely with what comparable programs carry, but paired with lower-than-state-average earnings, it creates a tighter financial margin than you'd find at Arizona's larger state universities.

Prescott's 99% admission rate and the fact that nearly half of students receive Pell grants tells you this is an access-focused institution serving students who might not have other options. Interdisciplinary studies degrees are intentionally flexible, which can be either a strength or a weakness depending on how deliberately a student builds their skills and networks. The curriculum matters less here than what your child does with it—internships, portfolio work, and clear career direction become essential when the degree itself doesn't signal a specific profession.

Given that both the debt and earnings figures are estimates drawn from peer institutions rather than Prescott's actual outcomes, you're making decisions with limited visibility into this specific program's track record. If your child is drawn to Prescott's experiential learning model and has a clear plan for applying an interdisciplinary degree, the estimated debt burden isn't alarming. But if the appeal is mainly the easy admission, push for concrete answers about job placement and alumni outcomes before committing.