Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at Winona State University

Winona State's interdisciplinary studies degree produces outcomes that lag behind other Minnesota options despite relatively modest debt. While graduates earn $40,406 initially—beating the national median by $1,700—they fall short of Minnesota's state median by nearly $2,000. More concerning, this program ranks in just the 40th percentile statewide, meaning six in ten comparable Minnesota programs deliver better first-year earnings.

The debt picture offers a silver lining: at $29,750, graduates borrow slightly less than the state median and rank in the favorable 13th percentile nationally for debt burden. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 is manageable, and earnings do grow 8% over four years to $43,717. However, parents should note that other Minnesota public universities—including Met State and the Twin Cities campus—produce graduates earning $6,000-$14,000 more annually from similar programs.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could fluctuate significantly year to year. For families prioritizing lower costs, this program won't saddle students with crushing debt. But if maximizing early-career earnings matters—and it often does for broadly-focused liberal arts degrees—other in-state options deliver substantially better returns for similar or lower borrowing levels.