Honolulu, HI · Private University
Is University of Hawaii at Manoa Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$57,624
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$12,186
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$34,218
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$136,872
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.68x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
62.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$13,181
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Hawaii at Manoa graduates earn $12,624 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 Manoa ranked by graduate earnings
111 graduates
31 graduates
62 graduates
87 graduates
90 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Hawaii at Manoa
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 Manoa, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $99,132) and the lowest (Natural Resources Management and Policy: $20,825) is $78,307/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $99,132 | 2.9x |
| Computer Engineering | $93,296 | 2.7x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $84,271 | 2.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,550 | 2.4x |
| Civil Engineering | $75,524 | 2.2x |
| Computer Science | $71,296 | 2.1x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $71,292 | 2.1x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $69,999 | 2.0x |
| Environmental Design | $63,779 | 1.9x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $61,945 | 1.8x |
| Education, General(1yr data) | $60,288 | 1.8x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $58,419 | 1.7x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $58,144 | 1.7x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $56,026 | 1.6x |
| Mathematics | $54,146 | 1.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,174 | 1.6x |
| Social Work | $51,751 | 1.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $51,376 | 1.5x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $50,548 | 1.5x |
| Economics | $48,941 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $48,627 | 1.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $47,100 | 1.4x |
| International Business | $46,964 | 1.4x |
| Marketing | $46,743 | 1.4x |
| Biology, General | $45,660 | 1.3x |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $44,926 | 1.3x |
| Sociology | $44,230 | 1.3x |
| Area Studies | $43,898 | 1.3x |
| Psychology, General | $42,894 | 1.3x |
| Nutrition Sciences | $42,604 | 1.3x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $41,437 | 1.2x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $41,424 | 1.2x |
| Animal Sciences | $40,265 | 1.2x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $40,086 | 1.2x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $39,725 | 1.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $38,705 | 1.1x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $36,960 | 1.1x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services(1yr data) | $36,040 | 1.1x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $34,829 | 1.0x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $32,599 | 0.9x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $32,310 | 0.9x |
| Graphic Communications | $29,881 | 0.9x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $27,309 | 0.8x |
| Natural Resources Management and PolicyLowest(1yr data) | $20,825 | 0.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | 1.68x | $57,624 | Good ROI |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo | 2.30x | $47,856 | Strong ROI |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | 2.54x | $52,075 | Strong ROI |
| University of Arizona | 1.46x | $59,979 | Average ROI |
| University of Nevada-Las Vegas | 2.11x | $55,037 | Strong ROI |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | 1.79x | $72,097 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Hawaii at Manoa offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $57,624 10 years after starting, $12,624 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 6 years, faster than most colleges.
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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.