Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at University of Maryland Global Campus

The interdisciplinary bachelor's degree programs at similar Maryland institutions produce first-year earnings around $38,000—putting graduates roughly $12,000 below what they'd earn from the state's top programs. While this aligns closely with national medians, the estimated $25,000 in debt creates a challenging starting position, particularly when Johns Hopkins graduates in the same field earn $8,500 more annually despite likely carrying similar debt loads.

What complicates this picture is the inherent nature of interdisciplinary degrees: they're designed for flexibility, which means outcomes depend heavily on what students actually combine and how they position themselves in the job market. Comparable programs across Maryland show earnings spanning from $31,000 to $46,000, suggesting that two graduates with the same credential can land in dramatically different places. For UMGC specifically—a primarily online institution serving working adults and military-affiliated students—this degree likely functions differently than traditional campus programs, potentially serving students already employed who need credentials for advancement rather than entry-level job seekers.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 is manageable but not impressive, especially given the wide variance in how interdisciplinary degrees translate to employment. If your child has a clear career strategy and knows how they'll leverage this degree, the flexibility could work. If they're choosing it because they're unsure what to study, that same first-year salary looks less promising when weighted against more structured programs with clearer career pathways.