2026 Best Value General Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in California

[General Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/interdisciplinary-studies/multi-interdisciplinary-studies-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for general multi-/interdisciplinary studies students.
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2026 Best Value General Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general multi-/interdisciplinary studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies Schools
For return on investment in general multi-/interdisciplinary studies, no school beat Saint Marys College Of California this year. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,803. General Multi-/interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. General Multi-/interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,041 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes National University one of the best values for general multi-/interdisciplinary studies. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. Typical student debt for general multi-/interdisciplinary studies graduates is $33,094. General Multi-/interdisciplinary Studies graduates of National University earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System one of the best values for general multi-/interdisciplinary studies. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public school located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. Students from in state pay about $12,540 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,471 to complete the general multi-/interdisciplinary studies program here. General Multi-/interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earn a median of $65,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.