Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at University of Mary Washington

Virginia's interdisciplinary studies programs cluster tightly around $46,000 in first-year earnings, and University of Mary Washington likely falls right in that middle tier. Based on comparable programs across the state, graduates can expect to earn roughly $46,400 initially while carrying about $26,000 in debt—figures that match both state and national medians almost exactly. This puts UMW's program in the average range, neither standing out like UVA's $52,000 outcomes nor lagging behind.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 suggests manageable repayment, assuming steady employment. That $26,000 debt load translates to monthly payments around $290 on a standard plan—feasible on a $46,000 salary, though it will take discipline. The challenge with interdisciplinary degrees is their breadth can sometimes make career paths less obvious than specialized majors, so income growth beyond that first year becomes critical.

What matters most here is how your student has structured their interdisciplinary focus. Programs with clear concentrations in high-demand areas (business, healthcare, technology) typically outperform those that remain truly generalist. Since these are estimates from peer programs rather than UMW's actual graduate outcomes, press the career services office for placement data specific to this major's recent graduates. The financial picture looks reasonable on paper, but the practical return depends entirely on whether students graduate with marketable skills rather than just an interesting transcript.