by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you have more than one interest that you want to pursue in college? Does double majoring sound too difficult, time consuming, or expensive? If so, you have another option. You can get your degree in Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. This will allow you to explore topics in different study areas. Choose to get your degree in a major that is already established or work with an advisor to create your own. Any path will require a lot of work as you juggle classes from different subjects and make connections between different disciplines.
There are numerous major options you can choose from. One popular choice is Mathematics and Computer Science which allows you to combine interests of math with computer programming and software development. A major in Behavioral Science teaches you about human behavior and biology, while students interested in international relations and exploring foreign cultures may choose to major in International Studies. Another choice is Nutriton Science where students will study how food relates to health. These are just a few of the many options in this field.
In 2020-2021, multi / interdisciplinary studies was the 13th most popular major nationwide with 115,895 degrees awarded. This represents a 1.4% increase in multi / interdisciplinary studies degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 114,246.
Our 2023 Best Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies Schools ranking analyzes 409 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for multi / interdisciplinary studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of multi / interdisciplinary studies programs later in this article.
Students in this field will need to be creative and critical thinkers as they juggle classes from a variety of subjects. Whether you are examining a scientific journal or medieval literature, you will need to read closely and carefully. You will need the ability to think abstractly and make connections between various disciplines.
Listen to professors and peers to gain new insight into issues. You will be working closely with others in labs, research, study groups, group projects and debates. Work on your communication and corporation skills to achieve success. Written communication is also important as you document your findings and write papers.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most multi / interdisciplinary studies degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional multi / interdisciplinary studies certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different multi / interdisciplinary studies degree levels. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest multi / interdisciplinary studies degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a multi / interdisciplinary studies degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to multi / interdisciplinary studies, with approximately 33.4% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for multi / interdisciplinary studies workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 32.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 26.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 13.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 8.0% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.6% |
About 86.6% of workers in careers related to multi / interdisciplinary studies obtain at least bachelor's degrees. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in multi / interdisciplinary studies careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the multi / interdisciplinary studies career you are seeking.
Graduates in this field acquire skills they can apply to many different occupations. Many choose to go into graduate school and focus more specifically on a subject. However, the critical thinking and analytical skills gained in college also prepare grads for careers in a variety of fields.
<Want a job when you graduate with your multi / interdisciplinary studies degree? Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies careers are expected to grow 9.8% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to multi / interdisciplinary studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | 1,537,600 | 10.0% |
| Computer Workers | 313,800 | 9.3% |
| Professors | 258,700 | 9.4% |
| Medical Scientists | 136,100 | 13.4% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists | 113,500 | 13.2% |
Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $36,709 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $5,783 to as high as $162,528. As you might expect, salaries for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers multi / interdisciplinary studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Political Scientists | $115,300 |
| Physical Scientists | $110,090 |
| Geoscientists | $107,800 |
| Biological Science Professors | $97,340 |
With over 6,264 different multi / interdisciplinary studies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased multi / interdisciplinary studies school rankings to help you with this.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 34,975 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 30,075 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,074 |
| International Studies | 7,368 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,330 |
