Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at University of Kentucky

At just under $30,000 in first-year earnings, University of Kentucky's Interdisciplinary Studies degree lands its graduates $6,000 below what similar programs typically deliver nationally. That gap matters: it means roughly $500 less per month in income during those critical early career years when debt payments begin. The debt load itself sits at the national median, but paired with below-average earnings, you're looking at an 88-cent debt-to-earnings ratio that will require careful budgeting to manage.

Here's the wrinkle: among Kentucky's limited options for this major, UK actually performs at the median. This isn't a case of UK underperforming local competitors—it appears to reflect broader challenges with how this degree translates to earnings in Kentucky's job market. The program sits in just the 5th percentile nationally, suggesting interdisciplinary studies graduates fare significantly better in other states.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty to these figures. For a flagship state university with a 92% acceptance rate, families might reasonably expect stronger outcomes. If your child is drawn to interdisciplinary studies, press UK's career services for specifics: which concentrations lead to which jobs, and what those jobs actually pay. Without a clear career pathway, this program's economics don't inspire confidence.