Analysis
Northwestern-St Paul's interdisciplinary program produces earnings well below what Minnesota families should expect from this degree. At $31,828 after one year, graduates earn roughly $10,000 less than the state median for this program and trail behind five other Minnesota schools—including the University of Minnesota-Crookston, where graduates earn $54,656. While the debt load of $18,000 is manageable, it still represents 57% of first-year earnings, a ratio that signals limited financial runway for recent graduates.
The 25th percentile ranking among Minnesota programs deserves attention. In a state where the median interdisciplinary studies graduate earns over $42,000, this program delivers significantly less economic value. The low debt helps prevent a disastrous outcome, but graduating with below-market earnings puts students at a competitive disadvantage when applying for jobs or apartments. The program's 92% admission rate and relatively low percentage of Pell recipients (15%) suggests this isn't about serving a challenging student population—it's simply underperforming compared to in-state alternatives.
One important caveat: the sample size is small, meaning these numbers could shift considerably year to year. However, unless your child has specific reasons to attend Northwestern-St Paul, Metropolitan State or the University of Minnesota system offer interdisciplinary programs with substantially stronger earnings outcomes at similar or even lower debt levels. The data suggests looking elsewhere within Minnesota.
Where University of Northwestern-St Paul Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (22 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Northwestern-St PaulSaint Paul | $36,830 | $31,828 | — | $18,000 | 0.57 |
 University of Minnesota-CrookstonCrookston | $13,120 | $54,656 | $54,593 | $31,000 | 0.57 |
 Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul | $9,780 | $49,751 | $52,538 | $35,110 | 0.71 |
 University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis | $16,488 | $42,339 | $56,840 | $20,500 | 0.48 |
 Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud | $10,117 | $42,192 | $44,070 | $28,551 | 0.68 |
 Winona State UniversityWinona | $10,498 | $40,406 | $43,717 | $29,750 | 0.74 |
| National Median | — | $38,704 | — | $25,495 | 0.66 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Northwestern-St Paul, approximately 15% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 21 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.