Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Saint Johns University

Is $26,000 in debt justifiable for a bachelor's degree that, based on similar Minnesota programs, leads to earnings around $42,000? That's the central question for Saint John's interdisciplinary studies program. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 sits comfortably below the danger zone of 1.0, meaning graduates would need roughly half their first-year salary to cover what they owe—manageable, though not ideal. When peer programs across Minnesota produce earnings that range from just over $40,000 to nearly $55,000 at schools like Minnesota-Crookston, the variation matters significantly for long-term financial health.

The challenge here is uncertainty. Saint John's doesn't report actual outcomes for this program, so we're relying on what happens at comparable Minnesota schools. The estimated $42,000 tracks with the state median but falls well short of what top programs deliver. For context, nationally, interdisciplinary studies graduates typically earn around $38,700, so Minnesota programs generally outperform—but that state advantage means little if you're choosing among Minnesota schools specifically.

Your child would be paying private school prices (even with likely aid) for outcomes that align with state averages. Before committing, directly ask Saint John's career services for actual placement data: where do graduates work, what roles do they fill, and how does their interdisciplinary approach translate to employer demand? Without clearer evidence that this program delivers above-average results, the estimated figures suggest you're paying for potential rather than proven outcomes.