Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies at York County Community College

A 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable borrowing—graduates earning an estimated $36,000 would need roughly four months of pre-tax income to cover $13,000 in loans. These figures come from national medians for similar interdisciplinary associate's programs nationwide, since York County Community College's graduate sample was too small for the Department of Education to report. While that ratio falls within reasonable bounds, it's worth recognizing what interdisciplinary studies programs typically represent: they're often designed for students transferring to four-year schools or pursuing specific career paths that don't fit traditional majors.

The challenge is that "interdisciplinary" covers enormously varied student outcomes depending on how someone uses the degree. An associate's that leads to immediate healthcare or technical work will perform differently than one serving purely as a stepping stone to a bachelor's. The estimated $36,000 first-year earnings reflect a national average that smooths over this diversity—some graduates earn considerably more, others less, based on their chosen direction. Without reported data from York County specifically or other Maine programs for comparison, you're essentially betting that your student's path will align with the national middle ground.

If the plan is transfer to a four-year institution, factor in total debt accumulation. If it's workforce entry, dig into what specific skills or credentials this program provides beyond the diploma itself. The estimates suggest neither exceptional opportunity nor obvious risk, but with interdisciplinary programs, the devil is in the implementation details.