2026 Best Value Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in interdisciplinary studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Interdisciplinary Studies Schools
Saint Marys College Of California earned the #1 spot for value among interdisciplinary studies schools in California. 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%.
National University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies, landing the #2 spot 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. Students borrow a median of $33,094 to complete the interdisciplinary studies program here. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $34,012. That is a strong return on a $33,094 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in interdisciplinary studies will find it at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,540 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,471 to complete the interdisciplinary studies program here. 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.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
[Interdisciplinary Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/interdisciplinary-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong interdisciplinary studies education at a price that pays off.
