Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at University of Massachusetts-Boston

UMass Boston's interdisciplinary studies program lands right at the state median, with similar programs across Massachusetts producing first-year earnings around $41,600—though that puts graduates nearly $13,000 behind what UMass Amherst reports for the same degree. The estimated $25,400 in debt is manageable relative to those earnings, creating a debt-to-income ratio of 0.61 that's better than many bachelor's programs nationwide. Still, interdisciplinary studies is a broad category that can encompass vastly different career paths, and the lack of program-specific data here means you're making decisions with limited visibility into what UMass Boston graduates actually experience.

The challenge with this degree is less about the debt load than about what it qualifies your child to do. Programs like this can be excellent launching pads for graduate school or for students who craft their own interdisciplinary focus with intention, but they can also leave graduates competing for entry-level positions against peers with more targeted credentials. The estimated $41,600 starting salary is slightly above the national benchmark for this field, which suggests Massachusetts's stronger job market provides some advantage—but you'll want to understand specifically what concentration or focus your child would pursue and whether it aligns with actual career opportunities in the Boston area, where living costs will eat into that salary quickly.