Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Wichita State University

Multi-disciplinary bachelor's degrees at comparable public universities typically produce first-year earnings around $35,000—a figure that falls short of many four-year degree programs and barely exceeds what many employers pay for positions requiring only a high school diploma. While the estimated $26,000 in debt at graduation isn't crushing by national standards, the 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio means your child would be borrowing roughly nine months' worth of their likely first-year salary, which creates real payment pressure in those critical early career years.

The challenge with interdisciplinary programs is that they're inherently variable—some students use them strategically to combine marketable skills in ways employers value, while others end up with credentials that don't clearly signal expertise to hiring managers. Peer programs nationally show a wide earnings spread, with top performers reaching $40,000+ but many hovering in the mid-$30,000s. Without specific outcome data from Wichita State itself, you're making this decision without knowing where their graduates typically land in that range.

Before committing, push the department hard on what recent graduates are actually doing and earning. Ask for names of employers who've hired their students and what specific skill combinations have translated into strong job placement. If they can't provide concrete career outcomes beyond general possibilities, that should concern you—especially when you're looking at $26,000 in loans for a degree where the value depends entirely on thoughtful program design and execution.