Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

This interdisciplinary program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville illustrates why blanket degrees often struggle in the job market. First-year earnings of $31,570 fall nearly $4,000 below the national median for this field, landing in just the 23rd percentile nationally. While graduates rank at the state median for Illinois, that's largely because only three schools in the state offer this program type—not exactly robust competition. The debt load of $30,357 creates a nearly 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe almost as much as they'll earn in their first year.

The fundamental challenge here is that interdisciplinary studies programs—by their nature—don't lead to specific career pathways with clear earning potential. At an open-access institution like SIUE (97% admission rate), this becomes particularly problematic. Students might be better served by focusing on a traditional major with clearer job prospects, even if it takes slightly longer to complete. The moderate sample size suggests this isn't a large program, which raises questions about resources and career networking opportunities.

For families considering this path, you should demand specifics: What exactly will your child's concentration be? What jobs do graduates actually get? Unless there's a compelling reason for the interdisciplinary approach—and a concrete career plan that justifies lower earnings—traditional majors in fields like business, education, or healthcare typically offer better returns on the same debt burden.