Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Southern Oregon University

Southern Oregon University's interdisciplinary studies program shows promising numbers, but the small graduate cohort means these figures could shift significantly year to year. With that caveat, graduates earn $41,454 in their first year—ranking in the 80th percentile among Oregon programs and well above both the state median ($31,571) and national median ($38,704). The debt load of $29,271 is manageable, actually sitting in the 16th percentile nationally (meaning 84% of similar programs leave students with more debt), producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71.

The Oregon comparison is striking: SOU grads earn roughly $10,000 more than the typical interdisciplinary studies graduate in the state, outperforming larger programs at Portland State and Western Oregon. This premium could reflect the program's design or the unique career paths these graduates pursue. Still, interdisciplinary studies programs inherently vary widely in outcome depending on how students combine fields, so individual results will differ substantially.

For families comfortable with some uncertainty—given the small sample size—this program appears to deliver solid value, particularly if your child plans to work in Oregon where these credentials seem to carry weight. The debt burden won't overwhelm early earnings, and graduates are outperforming most peers statewide. Just recognize that with few graduates, next year's numbers could look quite different.