Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at University of Hartford

A debt load of roughly $26,000 for estimated first-year earnings around $38,600 puts this interdisciplinary studies degree near the national medians for both measures—suggesting a financially manageable path if not an especially lucrative one. Based on comparable programs across Connecticut, graduates typically start around the state median, which sits slightly below what Trinity College and Yale produce but matches outcomes at UConn's regional campuses. The 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio means you'd be borrowing about eight months of income, which falls within reasonable territory for bachelor's degrees.

The challenge with interdisciplinary studies programs is predicting where graduates actually land career-wise, since the major itself doesn't point to a specific profession. Similar programs nationally show considerable variation—the 75th percentile reaches $46,400, but that likely reflects graduates who combined their degree with targeted internships, minors, or career planning rather than the degree itself opening doors. With 30% of Hartford students on Pell grants and an 83% admission rate, this program may serve students who need flexibility to work while completing their degree or who are changing careers, which could explain both the modest earnings and the limited graduate sample size.

For families considering this investment, the estimated numbers suggest financial viability but not career clarity. If your student has a concrete plan for how they'll use an interdisciplinary degree—perhaps paired with professional experience or a clear graduate school pathway—the debt burden shouldn't be crushing. Without that plan, you're financing flexibility rather than a defined outcome.