Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Wiley University

A $24,629 starting salary for a bachelor's degree is concerning—it's barely above minimum wage in many markets and ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for this field. While earnings climb to $35,771 by year four (a strong 45% increase), that still trails the national median for interdisciplinary studies graduates. The $30,000 in debt means new graduates are borrowing more than their first-year income, creating immediate financial stress for a student population where 77% receive Pell grants.

The Texas context offers a slightly more favorable view. At the 40th percentile statewide, Wiley sits near the middle of Texas programs, though that's partly because interdisciplinary studies tends to underperform economically in this state—even Baylor graduates start at just $30,687. Still, when half of similar programs in Texas produce better outcomes, families should ask why.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty to these figures, but the pattern is clear enough: this program leads to below-market earnings with above-average debt for a population that can least afford it. Unless your child has a specific career path where this degree is required—and a plan to supplement it with internships or credentials that boost employability—the financial math doesn't support borrowing $30,000 for this credential.