2026 Best Value Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in multi / interdisciplinary studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies Schools
Leading the list is Moraine Valley Community College, our #1 best value for multi / interdisciplinary studies in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $23,128. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in multi / interdisciplinary studies will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $33,115. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Land College earned it the #3 place for multi / interdisciplinary studies. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value multi / interdisciplinary studies schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $27,451. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in multi / interdisciplinary studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates is $5,583. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $26,130 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College landed the #6 spot for multi / interdisciplinary studies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $8,965 in student loans. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $30,203. That is a strong return on a $8,965 median debt.
College Of Lake County earned the #7 position for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates is $7,833. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $37,724. Set against $7,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,363 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $18,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College landed the #9 spot for multi / interdisciplinary studies value this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates is $7,727. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #10 spot for multi / interdisciplinary studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $8,315 in student loans. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $27,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carl Sandburg College landed the #11 spot for multi / interdisciplinary studies value this year. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Typical student debt for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates is $8,604. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $48,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Kokomo earned the #12 position for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $25,472 in student loans. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $41,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
Richland Community College landed the #13 spot for multi / interdisciplinary studies value this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College placed #14 among the best values for multi / interdisciplinary studies. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $27,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Area Community College came in at #15 for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. Students from in state pay about $4,440 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Typical student debt for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates is $9,470. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $36,123. Set against $9,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waubonsee Community College earned the #16 position for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $8,067 in student loans. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $24,939 early in their careers. Set against $8,067 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College landed the #17 spot for multi / interdisciplinary studies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career multi / interdisciplinary studies graduates make about $26,939. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value multi / interdisciplinary studies schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $30,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #19 among the best values for multi / interdisciplinary studies. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. 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 multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value multi / interdisciplinary studies schools. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $10,984 in student loans. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Triton College earn a median of $29,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College landed the #21 spot for multi / interdisciplinary studies value this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, compared with $12,462 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College earned the #22 position for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,089 to complete the multi / interdisciplinary studies program here. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Set against $10,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value multi / interdisciplinary studies schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $18,837 in student loans. Soon after graduation, multi / interdisciplinary studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #24 for value in multi / interdisciplinary studies this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $6,196 in student loans. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $29,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,196 median debt.
Kankakee Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value multi / interdisciplinary studies schools. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for multi / interdisciplinary studies this year:
Narrow Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies Schools by State
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 · 306 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 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.
[Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong multi / interdisciplinary studies education at a price that pays off.
