Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at University of West Alabama

With nearly $40,000 in debt but starting earnings under $32,000, University of West Alabama's interdisciplinary studies program saddles graduates with debt loads far exceeding what peers typically face—both nationally and across Alabama. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.25 means you're borrowing more than a year's salary, and that $39,700 debt burden ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with less debt). While first-year earnings actually sit slightly above Alabama's median for this degree, that modest advantage doesn't justify the debt difference when schools like Troy University deliver better earnings ($34,238) presumably at lower cost.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty, but the core problem is clear: borrowing $40,000 for a degree that starts you at $31,786 creates immediate financial strain. Even with 12% earnings growth to nearly $36,000 by year four, monthly student loan payments will consume a disproportionate share of take-home pay. For Alabama families, this matters because in-state students at Auburn or Alabama might access interdisciplinary programs with better debt-to-earnings dynamics.

If your child is set on this path at UWA, aggressively minimize borrowing through scholarships, work-study, or starting at a community college. At these debt levels, every thousand dollars borrowed matters significantly.