Compare 8 Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. programs in the West. Average earnings: $39,811.
With top graduates earning $47,295, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $7K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige across these 8 Western programs.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus leads with graduates earning $47,295, followed closely by University of Arizona at $46,244. The average across all programs is $39,811, yet both schools demonstrate that strong outcomes don't require impossible admissions—Arizona accepts 86% of applicants while delivering near-top earnings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Washington graduates borrow $14,615 and face just an 8.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. For families including parent loans, Eastern Washington University leads with a 23.4% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $47,295
Strong outcomes ($46,244) with 86% acceptance
8.1% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
23.4% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $47,295 | 35 | $14,615 | Good | $24,883 | Challenging | |
| #2 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $46,244 | 305 | $19,620 | Good | $30,126 | High |
| #3 | $45,524 | 90 | $19,500 | Good | $17,148 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $43,086 | 106 | $18,500 | Manageable | $23,123 | High | |
| #5 | Boise State UniversityPublic | $42,954 | 228 | $20,500 | Manageable | $18,968 | High |
| #6 | $41,950 | 83 | $19,000 | Manageable | $23,489 | High | |
| #7 | $31,291 | 51 | $20,500 | High | $15,500 | High | |
| #8 | $20,140 | 143 | $13,969 | High | $7,556 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
