Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General graduates earn a median $50,532 four years after finishing — $2,172/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,906/yr net price ($67,624 over four years), that pays back in about 31.1 years. Federal data pools 256 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 7,128 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lehigh University | PA | $91,697 |
| 2 | Stonehill College | MA | $72,121 |
| 3 | Marist University | NY | $67,076 |
| 4 | Indiana University-East | IN | $66,597 |
| 5 | Chadron State College | NE | $64,738 |
| 6 | Park University | MO | $60,509 |
| 7 | Mount Saint Mary College | NY | $60,133 |
| 8 | SUNY Buffalo State University | NY | $59,096 |
| 9 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | OK | $59,001 |
| 10 | National University | CA | $58,727 |
| 11 | The University of Alabama | AL | $56,945 |
| 12 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | NY | $56,643 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.