Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Radford University

Radford's interdisciplinary studies program tracks slightly above the national median but lands squarely in the middle of Virginia's pack—ranking at the 40th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $39,562. That's about $7,000 below what the typical Virginia graduate in this field earns, and notably trails stronger performers like VCU and ODU. With debt at $25,000 and a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63, graduates aren't overleveraged, but they're also not getting the earnings premium that justifies choosing this program over competitors.

The earnings trajectory shows steady growth—15% over four years—which suggests graduates find stable footing in the workforce. However, reaching $45,419 by year four still keeps them below where many state peers start. For a relatively accessible school (91% admission rate serving a substantial Pell-eligible population), these outcomes represent neither disaster nor distinction.

The fundamental question is opportunity cost. If your child is Virginia-based and considering interdisciplinary studies, several in-state alternatives deliver meaningfully higher starting salaries for comparable or lower debt. Unless Radford offers specific program elements or campus fit that matter to your family, the numbers suggest looking at schools where this major performs closer to the state's 60th percentile or higher.