At $12,063/yr net price, University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates earn $47,856/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,856/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,063 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $48,252 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,856/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,856/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,081/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,707/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,607/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,862/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,851/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $115,250 | $218,140 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $72,357 | $18,000 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $57,318 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $50,856 | $26,760 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Master | $42,682 | $36,000 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $38,289 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $22,000 |
| Agriculture, General. | Bachelor | $32,711 | $21,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $31,314 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $17,000 |
The Risk Factor
41.6% of students at University of Hawaii at Hilo graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
University of Hawaii at Hilo gives you a low sticker price but a modest payoff. At around $12,000 a year in net price and $47,856 median earnings a decade out, the math works only if you pick the right major and actually finish. The 41.6% graduation rate is the biggest problem here. If you leave without a degree, you keep the debt and lose the earnings bump, and more than half of students don't graduate.
Your major decides everything at this school. Nursing is the clear win: graduates earn over $72,000 with the lowest debt of any listed program at $18,000. Computer science follows at $57,318. After that, the returns fall off hard. Biology graduates earn $35,060 while carrying $22,000 in debt, and agriculture and accounting both land near $31,000-$32,000 with debt above $21,000. Borrowing more to earn less makes those three programs a poor financial bet unless you have a specific plan for graduate school or a local job lined up.
The main risk is finishing. A 69.77% retention rate means roughly three in ten first-year students don't return, and the low graduation rate compounds that. Median debt of $20,500 is manageable on a nursing salary but heavy on a biology or agriculture income.
This school fits you if you're committed to nursing or computer science and can afford the cost. Family income matters here: you'll pay around $9,000 a year if your household earns under $48,000, but close to $20,000 if you're over $110,000. If you're aiming at biology, agriculture, or accounting, run the numbers hard before you enroll, because the debt outpaces the paycheck those degrees produce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Hawaii at Hilo worth the cost?
University of Hawaii at Hilo offers reasonable value with a low net price of $12,063 annually and modest debt loads around $20,500. However, the 41.6% graduation rate and $47,856 median earnings create significant risk that many students won't complete their degree or see strong returns.
What are the best paying majors at University of Hawaii at Hilo?
Pharmacy graduates from University of Hawaii at Hilo earn a median of $115,250, making it the clear winner for ROI. Nursing ($72,357) and computer science ($57,318) also provide solid returns, while education and natural resources programs pay significantly less.
How much debt do University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates typically have?
University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates carry a median debt of $20,500, which is manageable compared to national averages. The bigger concern is the low 41.6% graduation rate, meaning many students may accumulate debt without earning a degree.
Does University of Hawaii at Hilo have good job outcomes?
University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates earn a median of $47,856 ten years after enrollment, which is below average for college graduates nationally. The pharmacy and nursing programs produce much stronger outcomes, but other majors struggle with lower earning potential.