Interdisciplinary studies is one of the most flexible and most overlooked bachelor’s degrees available today. Designed for working adults, career changers, and students finishing an incomplete degree, it allows you to combine multiple fields into a customized program that matches real-world careers.
As employers value adaptable, cross-disciplinary skills more than rigid majors, interdisciplinary studies has become a smart, affordable pathway to roles in:
- management
- public service
- nonprofit leadership
- hybrid career
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Finding a Top Interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree
In order to enter a Bachelor’s program in interdisciplinary studies, you may need to do a little more work than you would in entering a more traditional, standard baccalaureate program. Interdisciplinary studies programs are often designed hand in hand with school advisors. When you’re applying for an IS program, you’ll often be asked to work with a school advisor (or an advising committee) and present a proposal detailing what you’d like to study in your interdisciplinary degree. While this is common, it’s not the only way interdisciplinary studies programs are designed. Some programs let you:
- Create your own major from a school’s curriculum offerings.
- Choose from a limited selection of disciplines that the school selects to include in their interdisciplinary studies program options.
- Take a general B.A. or B.S. core, then choose a number of minors to fill out the rest of your degree.
Some interdisciplinary studies programs are harder than others. Here at Bachelor’s Degree Center, we’ve ranked the best interdisciplinary studies programs to give you a wide variety of options. When you find a school that you feel is a good fit, you can always request more information from them. It’s also a great opportunity to get in touch with advising staff that you’ll know what needs to go into building an interdisciplinary studies program.
We’ve ranked the schools on our list by the following metrics:
- Cost per credit hour
- Student to faculty ratio
- Reputation
- Average early career salary of graduates
Getting an interdisciplinary studies degree can be difficult, but so are most things worth doing. Also, for some, the nature of interdisciplinary studies programs lends itself to success. When you have more control over what you study, it’s easier to avoid subjects you know you’re not interested in, and you can keep yourself stimulated with a variety of subjects that fascinate you.
Interdisciplinary Studies Degrees in 2026: Why Demand Is Growing
Interdisciplinary studies degrees are gaining momentum in 2026 as employers increasingly prioritize practical skills, adaptability, and problem-solving over rigid major titles. Organizations want graduates who can bridge disciplines—such as business, technology, communication, and social sciences—rather than candidates trained in narrow academic silos.
At the same time, online and nonprofit universities are expanding interdisciplinary studies programs to meet demand for flexible, applied bachelor’s degrees. These programs are especially popular among:
- career switchers
- military members and veterans
- adults returning to finish incomplete degrees
You’ve likely noticed that when you’re intellectually engaged and passionate about what you’re studying, it’s much easier to put forth your best effort. In fact, an interdisciplinary studies program that you’ve designed, that focuses on topics you want to take to improve yourself and was custom-designed for you is a great way to avoid the rigidity and standardization that often turns people off to higher education. The more you enjoy your individual interdisciplinary studies program, the easier it’ll be for you.
Interdisciplinary Studies vs General Studies vs Liberal Studies
| Feature | Interdisciplinary Studies | General Studies | Liberal Studies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Student-designed or advisor-guided plan combining multiple fields | Broad, preset coursework with minimal specialization | Traditional liberal arts core (humanities, social sciences, sciences) |
| Customization | High – majors/minors or concentrations tailored to goals | Low–Moderate – flexible electives but limited focus | Moderate – choice within liberal arts, less career targeting |
| Career Focus | Applied & career-aligned when designed intentionally | General workforce readiness or degree completion | Foundational thinking; often prep for grad school |
| Employer Perception | Positive when paired with clear skills/specialization | Neutral; depends on experience and skills | Respected, especially for roles valuing analysis/communication |
Who Should Choose an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree?
An interdisciplinary studies degree is best for students who want flexibility, efficiency, and control over how their education aligns with real-world careers. It’s especially well-suited for:
- Working adults who need a flexible program that fits around full-time jobs, families, or shift work
- Career changers who want to pivot into a new field without starting over in a rigid major
- Military members & veterans who want to apply prior training and credits toward a customizable degree
- Students with prior college credits looking for the fastest, most affordable path to completion
- Students targeting multidisciplinary roles in operations, policy, nonprofit leadership, project management, or administration
For these learners, interdisciplinary studies isn’t a fallback it’s a strategic way to build a degree around practical skills, experience, and career goals rather than a one-size-fits-all major.
What Can You Do With an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree?
An interdisciplinary studies degree prepares graduates for roles that value versatility, coordination, and cross-functional thinking rather than a single technical specialty. Because the degree blends multiple disciplines, outcomes depend heavily on how you design your coursework and minors.
Common career paths include:
- Project coordinator
- Operations analyst
- HR generalist
- Communications specialist
- Program manager (nonprofit or government)
Salary outlook:
- Entry-level roles: typically $40,000–$55,000, depending on industry and location
- Mid-career roles with clear specialization: often $60,000–$80,000+, especially when paired with experience in business, data, healthcare, policy, or technology
The return on investment for an interdisciplinary studies degree is highly customizable. Graduates who intentionally align their coursework with in-demand skills such as project management, analytics, public administration, or communications tend to see stronger career mobility and earnings growth than those who pursue a purely general track.
FAQs
Is an interdisciplinary studies degree respected by employers?
Yes. Employers generally care more about skills, experience, and relevance than the exact major. When well-designed, an interdisciplinary studies degree signals adaptability, critical thinking, and applied problem-solving especially valuable in operations, nonprofit, government, and business roles.
Is interdisciplinary studies a “real” major?
Absolutely. Interdisciplinary studies is a formally approved bachelor’s degree at many regionally accredited universities. It follows structured academic standards and is often overseen by faculty committees or advisors to ensure rigor and coherence.
Can I earn an interdisciplinary studies degree online?
Yes. Many nonprofit and public universities offer fully online interdisciplinary studies programs, making them ideal for working adults, military members, and students finishing incomplete degrees.
Is interdisciplinary studies good for graduate school?
It can be if planned carefully. Students targeting graduate school should choose concentrations aligned with their intended master’s program and include relevant research, methods, or prerequisite coursework.
How do I design a strong interdisciplinary studies concentration?
Start with a clear career or academic goal, then select complementary disciplines that build toward that outcome. Work closely with an academic advisor, focus on applied skills, and ensure your coursework tells a clear, intentional story rather than a random mix of classes.
Related:
Top 30 Best Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies
