Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Sinclair Community College

The small graduating class here makes interpretation tricky, but the $27,000 starting salary sits about $9,000 below the national median for interdisciplinary associate degrees—a gap that's hard to ignore. What complicates the picture is that this program actually performs at the median for Ohio, suggesting either regional wage differences or that interdisciplinary programs statewide face similar outcomes. The debt load of roughly $10,000 is at least manageable, translating to monthly payments around $110, which won't overwhelm a modest starting salary.

The real question is whether this degree serves as a stepping stone or a stopping point. Interdisciplinary associate degrees can open doors to bachelor's programs or provide broad skills for entry-level work, but at $27,000 annually, graduates will need either a clear advancement path or very low living expenses. For families hoping this will be a standalone credential leading to immediate financial independence, the numbers suggest otherwise.

Given the limited sample size, talk to the program directly about where recent graduates actually landed—job titles, employers, and whether they continued their education. If most students transfer to four-year programs, the outcomes could improve substantially. If they're entering the workforce directly at these wages, this may be more valuable as an exploratory degree than a career launcher.