Analysis
A bachelor's degree with $26,000 in debt and first-year earnings around $35,000 lands squarely at the national median for interdisciplinary studies programs—neither a standout nor a red flag. Based on comparable programs nationwide, graduates typically carry debt equal to about nine months of their first-year salary, which is manageable but requires realistic planning. With 41% of Rhode Island College students on Pell grants, many families here are budget-conscious, making that debt load meaningful even if it's not extreme.
The challenge with interdisciplinary studies is less about the numbers and more about what happens next. These programs intentionally blend fields, which can be an asset if your student has a clear plan for how to market those combined skills to employers. Without that narrative, first-year earnings may reflect the difficulty of explaining what this degree prepares them to do. The moderate debt burden gives some room for career exploration, but it's not unlimited runway.
For families weighing this option: the financial picture suggests this degree won't bury graduates in debt, but it also won't catapult them into high earnings immediately. The real question is whether your student has identified how their specific course combination positions them for particular careers or graduate programs. If they can articulate that clearly now, the investment makes sense. If they're still figuring it out, that's something to address before enrolling rather than after graduating.
Where Rhode Island College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi-/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Rhode Island CollegeProvidence | $10,986 | $35,282* | — | $25,996* | — |
 Lehigh UniversityBethlehem | $62,180 | $74,734* | $78,295 | $24,960* | 0.33 |
 Hodges UniversityFort Myers | $15,580 | $60,897* | $39,309 | —* | — |
 Indiana University-EastRichmond | $8,179 | $60,513* | — | —* | — |
 Marist UniversityPoughkeepsie | $46,140 | $57,906* | $58,631 | $31,142* | 0.54 |
 Park UniversityParkville | $16,400 | $50,454* | — | $23,369* | 0.46 |
| 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 Rhode Island College, approximately 41% 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 national median of 55 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.