Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Wellesley College

A $26,000 debt load for a degree from one of the country's most selective colleges—yet earnings based on comparable Massachusetts programs suggest just $41,600 in that first year. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 isn't alarming on its face, roughly matching what Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry nationally. But context matters: Wellesley's 14% admission rate and 1513 average SAT score signal an institution that typically opens doors beyond what first-year salary figures capture.

The challenge here is that we're working entirely with estimates drawn from peer programs across Massachusetts, not outcomes specific to Wellesley's small cohort of interdisciplinary graduates. Other elite Massachusetts schools with reported data—Boston University at $54,000, Brandeis at $51,600—post significantly higher first-year earnings for similar majors. Whether Wellesley's interdisciplinary graduates track closer to those outcomes or to the state median of $41,600 makes an enormous difference in evaluating this investment.

The bet you're making is on Wellesley's brand and network to deliver returns that aren't yet visible in these proxy figures. If your daughter is combining this major with strong career preparation and has post-graduation plans that leverage the school's reputation, the estimated debt level is manageable. But if she's uncertain about her path and drawn to interdisciplinary studies for its flexibility, recognize that first-year earnings could indeed land in that low-$40,000 range—making debt payoff slower than you might expect from a highly selective institution.