2026 Best Value Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the interdisciplinary studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Interdisciplinary Studies Schools
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among interdisciplinary studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for interdisciplinary studies. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $12,525. Soon after graduation, interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in interdisciplinary studies will find it at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #4. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Flint earned it the #5 place for interdisciplinary studies. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the interdisciplinary studies program here. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $51,692 early in their careers. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #6 spot for interdisciplinary studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,357 to complete the interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $31,570. Set against $30,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
National Louis University came in at #7 for value in interdisciplinary studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $53,733 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Central State University landed the #8 spot for interdisciplinary studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,058, compared with $10,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for interdisciplinary studies graduates is $31,318. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $27,388. That is a strong return on a $31,318 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent placed #9 among the best values for interdisciplinary studies. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the interdisciplinary studies program here. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in interdisciplinary studies this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Early-career interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
