Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Tulane University of Louisiana

Tulane's interdisciplinary studies program operates in a narrow earnings band—starting at $35,755 and rising to just under $40,000 four years out—that might surprise families expecting more from a highly selective private university. While the program performs decently within Louisiana (60th percentile versus other state programs), it trails the national median for this major by nearly $3,000. More concerning is the debt picture: at the 86th percentile nationally, Tulane graduates carry significantly less debt than peers at other schools, yet the relatively modest earnings still create a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54—workable but not comfortable.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) warrants caution, but the pattern suggests this program may serve students pursuing careers where prestige matters more than starting salary, or those using it as a flexible path to graduate school. The 11% earnings growth over four years is modest, indicating graduates aren't experiencing dramatic early-career acceleration. For families paying substantial tuition at a school where only 9% receive Pell grants, this program represents a financial stretch—especially when Northwestern State produces interdisciplinary studies grads earning $53,000+ right out of the gate. Unless your student has clear plans for how this degree connects to a specific career trajectory, Tulane's brand name alone may not justify the investment for this particular major.