by our College Data Analytics Team
[Interdisciplinary Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/interdisciplinary-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for interdisciplinary studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in interdisciplinary studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in interdisciplinary studies, no school beat National University this year. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,284. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $33,094. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of National University earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Set against $33,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Marys College Of California one of the best values for interdisciplinary studies. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Saint Marys College Of California generally make around $59,760. Set against $25,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value interdisciplinary studies schools. Set in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,540. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $27,471. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earn a median of $65,898 early in their careers. Set against $27,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Pepperdine University one of the best values for interdisciplinary studies. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,918. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $23,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $57,582. Set against $23,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.