Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at University of North Alabama

At $30,633 in first-year earnings against $31,000 in debt, University of North Alabama's interdisciplinary studies program sits right at the state median for similar programs in Alabama, though it notably lags national benchmarks by about $8,000. While that 14th percentile national ranking looks concerning, context matters: Alabama programs in this field generally underperform the national average, and UNA lands squarely in the middle of the in-state pack. The debt load, however, is above both state and national medians, which explains the precarious 1.01 debt-to-earnings ratio.

For Alabama families keeping their child in-state, this program offers about what you'd expect from similar regional options—it's neither the best (Troy graduates earn $3,600 more) nor the worst in the state. The challenge is that interdisciplinary studies, as a field, tends toward lower starting salaries nationwide, and Alabama amplifies that pattern. Graduates will need nearly their entire first year's salary to cover their debt, leaving little margin for error if they face unemployment or underemployment early in their careers.

The bottom line: If your child is set on this major and staying in Alabama, UNA won't put them behind state peers, but the tight debt-to-earnings picture means they should have a clear career path in mind and potentially consider working part-time during school to minimize borrowing.