Business Administration, Management and Operations at Brigham Young University-Hawaii

A business degree from BYU-Hawaii sits in an interesting middle ground—comparable programs nationally suggest around $27,000 in debt, while first-year earnings of $41,461 fall below the national median ($45,703) but exceed most Hawaii programs. The state's high cost of living makes these numbers particularly relevant: you're looking at estimated debt equal to about 65% of first-year income, which is manageable but requires careful planning in an expensive market.

What makes this program more compelling is the trajectory. Similar programs show earnings climbing to $58,000 by year four—a 40% increase that suggests graduates gain marketable skills and advance reasonably well. That's competitive with University of Phoenix-Hawaii graduates ($58,268) and well ahead of most other state options. The estimated debt level also appears reasonable compared to what business programs typically generate.

The uncertainty here matters more than usual because Hawaii's small market and BYU-Hawaii's specific student population (many international students, strong LDS representation) could produce outcomes quite different from peer programs elsewhere. If your child plans to stay in Hawaii long-term and values the university's faith-centered environment, the estimated numbers suggest solid middle-ground value. But if they're aiming for mainland opportunities in high-cost business hubs, verify whether BYU-Hawaii's network and career services actually help graduates access those markets—the estimates alone can't tell you that story.