Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.
Analysis
A bachelor's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute—known for its rigorous STEM programs and $80,000+ engineering salaries—typically costs far more than $26,500 in debt. If these estimates hold, the interdisciplinary program actually presents a manageable debt load for RPI. The challenge is the other side of the equation: first-year earnings around $40,000 sit just above the national median for this broad field but lag dramatically behind what RPI graduates in focused technical majors command. Similar interdisciplinary programs across New York vary wildly, from Marist's nearly $58,000 outcomes to Paul Smith's $33,000, suggesting that program design and career services matter enormously.
The 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio is workable—graduates could feasibly repay this debt without financial strain—but it raises questions about value at a selective institution where the median SAT is 1415 and most programs lead to lucrative technical careers. Interdisciplinary degrees can serve students pursuing creative fields, education, or graduate school, but those paths need to be intentional. Without clearer outcomes data for RPI's specific program, your child would be betting on the school's reputation and network to deliver better results than the state average suggests. Before committing, push the school hard for actual graduate outcomes: where do completers work, what roles do they take, and how many continue to graduate programs that might justify the bachelor's as a stepping stone?
Where Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi-/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (20 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy | $61,884 | $40,205* | — | $26,500* | — |
 Marist UniversityPoughkeepsie | $46,140 | $57,906* | $58,631 | $31,142* | 0.54 |
 Touro UniversityNew York | $21,810 | $41,692* | $48,591 | $16,417* | 0.39 |
 CUNY York CollegeJamaica | $7,358 | $38,718* | $56,159 | —* | — |
 Paul Smiths College of Arts and SciencePaul Smiths | $32,049 | $33,333* | — | —* | — |
| National Median | — | $35,282* | — | $26,000* | 0.74 |
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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, approximately 19% 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 4 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.