Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University's interdisciplinary studies program occupies comfortable middle ground: graduates earn about 10% more than the typical Utah student in this major and land above the national median too. Starting at $40,290 might not sound impressive, but it's actually better than three of the five schools offering this degree in Utah, and the $20,575 in debt sits right at the state median while running $5,000 below the national average.

The 0.51 debt-to-earnings ratio means your child would owe roughly half their first-year salary—manageable territory that most families can navigate without prolonged financial strain. What's less encouraging is the modest 6% earnings bump from year one to year four. While this program doesn't saddle students with crushing debt, it also doesn't appear to open doors to rapidly escalating salaries. That said, interdisciplinary studies often serves as a springboard degree, and many graduates use it strategically to pivot into fields where the real earnings growth happens later.

For families prioritizing affordable access over immediate earning power, this program makes sense. Your child graduates with below-average debt and income that outpaces most Utah peers in the same major. Just understand you're buying optionality and foundational skills rather than a direct path to high earnings.