At $13,181/yr net price, University of Hawaii at Manoa graduates earn $57,624/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $23,624/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,181 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $52,724 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,624/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$23,624/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 62.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,397/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,971/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,381/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,795/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,462/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $100,404 | $99,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $94,408 | $123,979 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $78,719 | $49,652 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $74,576 | $18,895 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $70,710 | $12,500 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $67,101 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $65,557 | $24,629 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $65,486 | $29,690 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,600 | $20,165 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $62,012 | $98,536 |
The Risk Factor
62.6% of students at University of Hawaii at Manoa graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 37% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Hawaii at Manoa gives you a solid financial return for a public school, with a net price under $14k and median debt of $18,500 that stays below what your degree earns back. The catch is Honolulu's cost of living: a $57,624 median salary stretches thin in one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, so the number looks better on paper than in your bank account.
Engineering and nursing are where the money is. Computer engineering and nursing both clear $70k, and nursing pairs that with the lowest debt on the list at $12,500, making it the cleanest payoff here. Mechanical and civil engineering also land in the mid-$60s. Watch the debt-to-earnings gap on dental support and allied professions: it earns about the same as civil engineering but leaves you with nearly $30k in debt, the heaviest load among the top programs.
The main risk is finishing. A 63% grad rate and 75% retention mean a real share of students leave, and if you borrow and don't graduate, you carry debt with no degree behind it. Staying in Hawaii after graduation also ties your engineering or nursing salary to a high-cost island economy.
If your family earns under $30k, you pay about $7,400 a year, and that low entry cost combined with an engineering or nursing path makes Manoa a strong bet. Above $110k, you pay closer to $20,500, still reasonable for a four-year public university. If you're aiming for a lower-earning major and plan to stay on Oahu, run the numbers against local rent before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Hawaii at Manoa worth the cost?
UH Manoa offers decent value with a low net price of $13,181 and moderate debt levels at $18,500. However, the 10-year earnings of $57,624 are below national averages, and the 63% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying majors at University of Hawaii at Manoa?
Nursing programs lead with graduates earning $70,000-$100,000+ annually, followed by business administration at $78,719 and computer engineering at $74,576. Most other programs result in significantly lower earnings that may not justify the time investment.
How much debt do University of Hawaii at Manoa graduates have?
The median debt is $18,500, which is manageable compared to many schools. Given the relatively low earnings for most majors, this debt level is reasonable but still requires careful consideration of your chosen field.
Does University of Hawaii at Manoa have good financial aid?
The net price of $13,181 suggests decent financial aid for many students. However, with below-average post-graduation earnings, even this lower cost may not provide strong ROI unless you're in nursing, business, or engineering.