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Grinnell College delivers the state's most affordable Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies program at just $15,608 net cost, despite its $64,862 sticker price. This creates a remarkable $49,254 gap between published and actual costs for qualified students. Iowa's 17 programs span from this elite liberal arts option to large public universities like Iowa State at $18,165 net cost. The interdisciplinary approach aligns perfectly with Iowa's economy, where companies like Principal Financial and John Deere value graduates who can bridge multiple fields. Saint Ambrose University graduates earn $46,087 annually, while Morningside University graduates start at $28,019, reflecting the program's versatility across different career paths. Net costs range up to $25,635, making Iowa particularly attractive for students seeking flexible academic programs without overwhelming debt loads.
17
Programs
$15,608 – $25,635
Net Price Range
$35,745
Avg. Program Earnings
58.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $15,608 $64,862 87.5% 10.8%
2 $18,165 $10,497 75.5% 90.2%
3 $18,225 $16,530 17.6% 94.3%
4 $18,321 $40,190 47.3% 77.3%
5 $19,155 $52,576 59.0%
6 $21,398 $10,964 73.1% 86.0%
7 $21,590 $35,534 49.4%
8 $22,115 $28,750 29.2% 57.7%
9 $22,231 $46,212 65.7% 89.1%
10 $22,353 $20,988 69.2% 79.2%
11 $22,750 $35,598 62.8% 73.9%
12 $23,169 $38,190 52.8% 70.6%
13 $23,172 $19,000 41.5% 54.2%
14 $23,435 $39,070 55.9% 75.3%
15 $25,079 $50,634 71.7% 79.3%
16 $25,383 $35,960 65.3% 87.7%
17 $25,635 $50,320 75.0% 75.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Grinnell College's low net cost despite its high sticker price?

Grinnell's generous financial aid reduces the $64,862 published cost to just $15,608 for the average student. The college's substantial endowment funds need-based grants that cover nearly 76% of total expenses. Only 10.76% of applicants gain admission, but those who do receive significant financial support. This makes Grinnell more affordable than many public options for qualifying students.

How do earnings vary among Iowa's interdisciplinary studies graduates?

Saint Ambrose University graduates earn $46,087 annually, the highest among reporting schools in this field. Morningside University graduates start at $28,019, creating an $18,068 earnings gap across programs. Iowa State graduates earn $37,208 with relatively low debt loads of $25,490. These variations reflect different program focuses and career preparation approaches within interdisciplinary studies.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Iowa?

Grinnell College achieves an 87.5% graduation rate at the lowest net cost of $15,608, defying typical cost-quality assumptions. Maharishi International University costs just $18,225 but graduates only 17.6% of students. Iowa State maintains a solid 75.5% graduation rate while keeping costs low at $18,165. Higher net costs don't guarantee better completion rates in this field across Iowa institutions.

Where do public universities rank among Iowa's most affordable options?

Iowa State University ranks second at $18,165 net cost, closely following Grinnell's $15,608. The University of Iowa costs $21,398, placing sixth among the 17 programs. Both public options significantly undercut most private colleges in actual costs. Iowa State's 90.22% acceptance rate makes it highly accessible compared to selective private alternatives with similar affordability.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.