Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at University of Southern California

USC's elite reputation doesn't translate into elite outcomes for this interdisciplinary program—at least not in the early years. Similar programs across California suggest first-year earnings around $40,400, which is essentially the state median for these degrees but falls well short of what comparable interdisciplinary programs produce at UCLA ($46,154) or UC Berkeley ($45,461). The debt load of $20,000 is manageable relative to those initial earnings, and notably lower than the national median of $25,495 for these programs. But for a school with a 10% admission rate and average SAT scores of 1501, you'd expect more of a premium.

The four-year earnings jump to $54,830 suggests this program's value builds over time, possibly as graduates leverage USC's powerful alumni network and the flexibility of an interdisciplinary degree into career advancement. That trajectory matters more than the modest start, particularly given the relatively contained debt burden. The 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio is reasonable, though that calculation depends entirely on estimated figures drawn from peer programs rather than actual USC graduate outcomes.

The fundamental challenge here: you're investing in USC's brand and network without clear evidence of how *this specific program* performs. If your child is pursuing this path to access USC's broader opportunities while exploring multiple interests, the debt picture won't hamstring them. But if the interdisciplinary degree itself is the draw, other California schools produce comparable or better early outcomes at lower cost.