Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at University of Massachusetts Global

A bachelor's degree in Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at University of Massachusetts Global comes with an estimated $26,000 in debt for first-year earnings projected around $35,000—a debt load that would consume nearly three-quarters of that initial salary. Based on comparable programs nationally, these figures track closely with both national and California medians for this field, suggesting this is less about UMass Global's specific outcomes and more about the inherent economics of interdisciplinary bachelor's degrees, which typically don't command strong early earnings.

The challenging part is that California's interdisciplinary studies graduates actually earn slightly less than the national average ($32,452 versus $35,282), while debt levels remain similar. Even top programs in the state like National University report first-year earnings around $34,000, suggesting the state job market doesn't particularly reward this credential. The 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it means graduates would need to dedicate significant portions of their early paychecks to loan repayment while navigating California's high cost of living.

For families considering this path, understand you're looking at peer program outcomes rather than UMass Global's track record specifically. If your child needs the flexibility an interdisciplinary degree provides, factor in the likelihood of modest starting pay that barely edges above $30,000 in California, paired with debt that will take years to clear. The real question is whether this degree serves as a stepping stone to something specific or simply checks a credential box—because the market doesn't appear to value it highly on its own.