Median Earnings (1yr)
$31,955
26th percentile
60th percentile in Pennsylvania
Median Debt
$26,264
1% above national median

Analysis

The interdisciplinary studies program at Slippery Rock sits right at Pennsylvania's median for earnings, which means half the state's programs do better and half do worse. What's notable here is the trajectory: graduates start at $31,955 but jump to $44,358 by year four—a 39% increase that suggests the broad skill set opens doors over time rather than leading to an immediate payoff.

The debt load of $26,264 is reasonable, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82 in that first year when money is typically tightest. While the program ranks below the national median for this field, Pennsylvania's interdisciplinary programs cluster lower overall—Slippery Rock actually outperforms the state average, landing at the 60th percentile among Pennsylvania schools. The first-year earnings dip compared to the national median ($31,955 vs. $35,282) closes considerably by year four.

For families prioritizing in-state tuition costs, this program delivers solid mid-career growth potential without excessive debt. The strong earnings trajectory matters more than the modest starting salary, especially given that interdisciplinary degrees often require time to translate into specific career paths. Just understand you're banking on that growth curve rather than immediate returns.

Where Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all multi-/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania$31,955$44,358+39%
Lehigh University$74,734$78,295+5%
Marist University$57,906$58,631+1%
CUNY York College$38,718$56,159+45%
Millersville University of Pennsylvania$30,099$34,466+15%

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (20 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock$10,507$31,955$44,358$26,2640.82
Lehigh UniversityBethlehem$62,180$74,734$78,295$24,9600.33
Millersville University of PennsylvaniaMillersville$12,262$30,099$34,466$25,9900.86
National Median—$35,282—$26,0000.74
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 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, approximately 28% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 116 graduates with reported earnings and 144 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.