Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at The University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin's interdisciplinary studies program outperforms 91% of similar programs nationally but lands in the middle of the pack within Texas—a state where this degree type delivers unusually strong outcomes. At $51,107 first-year earnings, graduates earn well above the national benchmark of $38,704, yet trail several in-state alternatives including Texas Southern ($57,511) and University of Houston ($56,904). The debt load of $21,500 is manageable, creating a favorable 0.42 ratio that means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary.

The concerning pattern here is complete earnings stagnation: four years out, median pay remains essentially unchanged at $51,323. While UT Austin's prestige and selective admissions (29% acceptance rate, 1380 average SAT) might suggest stronger career trajectories, this program's graduates see none of the typical mid-career salary growth. That stands in stark contrast to what interdisciplinary studies graduates achieve elsewhere in Texas, where several less selective schools deliver both higher starting salaries and presumably better growth potential.

For families paying UT Austin's price premium, this degree doesn't deliver a clear return advantage over more affordable in-state options. The program works fine financially—low debt, decent starting pay—but if your child is admitted to UT Austin, consider whether their chosen major plays to the institution's actual strengths. An interdisciplinary degree from a more focused program elsewhere in Texas might offer better value.