Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Rutgers University-Newark

Rutgers-Newark's interdisciplinary studies program shows an unusual pattern: it starts below the national average but climbs significantly faster. First-year graduates earn $33,109—about $5,600 below the national median for this major—but by year four, earnings reach $47,887, surpassing both the national median and the 75th percentile. That 45% earnings growth suggests the degree either opens doors that take time to leverage or attracts students who need a flexible program while building careers.

Within New Jersey, this program sits right at the state median, placing it in the 60th percentile. That's respectable given the competitive landscape, though Thomas Edison State grads earn nearly triple at one year out (likely reflecting that school's focus on working adults completing degrees). The $26,250 debt load is close to national norms and manageable relative to the year-four earnings, creating a debt-to-income ratio around 0.55 by that point.

The key question is whether your student can weather those early years at $33,000 while the degree's value compounds. For students who need Rutgers' flexibility to finish a bachelor's degree—perhaps while working or managing other commitments—the trajectory justifies the investment. But if they're seeking immediate earning power, more targeted programs at Rutgers would serve them better from day one.