Hilo, HI · Private University
Is University of Hawaii at Hilo Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$47,856
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,838
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$20,798
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$83,192
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.30x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
41.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$12,063
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates earn $2,856 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Hawaii at Hilo ranked by graduate earnings
102 graduates
91 graduates
31 graduates
54 graduates
51 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Hawaii at Hilo
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Hawaii at Hilo, the gap between the highest-earning major (Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration: $128,695) and the lowest (Geography and Cartography: $30,293) is $98,402/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and AdministrationBest ROI | $128,695 | 6.2x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $89,133 | 4.3x |
| Biology, General | $60,840 | 2.9x |
| Psychology, General | $41,183 | 2.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,698 | 2.0x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $38,446 | 1.9x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $37,577 | 1.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,393 | 1.6x |
| Sociology | $32,040 | 1.5x |
| Agriculture, General | $30,666 | 1.5x |
| Geography and CartographyLowest(1yr data) | $30,293 | 1.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Hawaii at Hilo stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $47,856 10 years after starting, $2,856 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.5 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.