Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Texas Wesleyan University

Texas Wesleyan's interdisciplinary studies program demonstrates a puzzling disconnect: while graduates outperform the national median by nearly $7,000 in their first year, they lag behind typical Texas graduates in this field by about $2,400. Among the 55 Texas schools offering this degree, this program sits at the 40th percentile—below the state's median but well above the national average. The manageable debt load of $29,711 is actually lower than typical Texas interdisciplinary programs (where the median is $24,038 nationally adjusted), resulting in a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65.

The concerning element here is the flat trajectory: earnings essentially plateau rather than grow over the first four years. Compare this to Texas's top interdisciplinary programs at University of Houston ($56,904) or Texas Southern ($57,511), which offer significantly higher earning potential—roughly $11,000 more annually. For a student who could gain admission to one of these alternatives, the opportunity cost becomes substantial over a career.

For families prioritizing staying in the Fort Worth area or seeking a smaller university environment, the numbers work—the debt is manageable and first-year earnings cover living expenses. But if your child has options at UT Austin, UH, or other higher-ranked Texas publics, those programs deliver meaningfully better financial outcomes in this field. The value proposition depends heavily on what other acceptances are on the table.