Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Salisbury University

The small sample size here matters—with fewer than 30 graduates, a handful of outcomes can skew the picture dramatically. That said, the numbers as they stand show first-year earnings of $30,895, which trails both Maryland's median for this degree ($37,936) and the national median ($38,704) by roughly $7,000. More concerning is the debt picture: at $17,500, graduates here carry less than the state median but still face a debt load that's 57% of their first-year income—higher than you'd want for earnings at this level.

What makes interdisciplinary studies degrees tricky to evaluate is their inherent variability. These programs often serve as pathways for students with specific career plans (teaching credentials, graduate school preparation) or those cobbling together coursework around work schedules. If your child has a clear plan for how this degree connects to their next step—whether that's grad school, certification, or a specific job lined up—the relatively modest debt might be manageable. But as a standalone credential for entering the workforce, $31,000 in first-year earnings leaves little financial cushion.

With Salisbury's 89% admission rate and the program's below-median outcomes statewide, this looks more like a degree of convenience than a strategic investment. If interdisciplinary studies is the path forward, your child should have a concrete plan for what comes after graduation—not just hope that it works out.