Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

A Baptist seminary offering an interdisciplinary bachelor's degree with estimated first-year earnings around $35,000 and debt near $26,500 lands you squarely at national medians for this field—but those medians themselves tell a challenging story. Interdisciplinary Studies programs nationally cluster in the mid-$30,000s for starting pay, which means modest earnings even in the best-case scenarios. The 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable monthly payments, but only if your child lands steady employment in that range.

The uncertainty here cuts both ways. These estimates come from peer programs nationally since this specific program's graduate numbers are too small to report. On one hand, that small size might mean personalized attention and strong faculty relationships at a faith-based institution. On the other, you're investing without concrete proof of where graduates actually land. North Carolina's median debt for these programs runs higher at $32,000, suggesting this estimate could be conservative. The broader concern is that interdisciplinary degrees often serve students who aren't sure what they want to study—admirable for exploration, but less reliable for launching a career than focused professional programs.

If your child is committed to ministry or faith-based work where a Southeastern Baptist credential carries specific weight, this pathway makes more sense. For general interdisciplinary study hoping to lead to broader career options, you're looking at entry-level wages that will stretch if they're also carrying student loans. Ask the school directly about graduate outcomes and job placement before committing.