Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Williams College

Williams College enrolls some of the nation's most academically talented students—median SAT of 1527, 10% admission rate—but the estimated outcomes for this interdisciplinary program suggest a surprisingly modest financial return. Based on comparable programs across Massachusetts, first-year earnings around $41,600 land right at the state median, trailing well behind similar programs at Boston University ($54,456) and Brandeis ($51,615). That's concerning given Williams' elite positioning and the premium tuition that comes with it.

The estimated debt of about $26,000 looks manageable on paper, with a 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio that's better than many bachelor's programs nationally. But context matters: families paying for Williams expect trajectories that justify the investment, and $41,600 represents a baseline outcome that might come from far less selective (and expensive) Massachusetts schools. The interdisciplinary nature of this major may explain some of the variance—these programs attract students heading to graduate school or non-traditional careers where first-year earnings understate long-term potential.

Before committing, recognize that these figures are estimates drawn from peer institutions, not Williams-specific data, and the actual range could be wider. If your student is considering graduate school or a field where Williams' network and prestige matter more than immediate earnings, this path might still make sense. But if undergraduate ROI is the priority, other programs at Williams—or interdisciplinary programs at Boston University or Brandeis with stronger reported outcomes—deserve closer examination.