Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 suggests this program could offer reasonable value, though both the earnings and debt figures come from peer institutions rather than BYU-Hawaii's actual graduates. The estimated first-year earnings of $61,322 align with the national median for computer science bachelor's programs, while the estimated debt of $25,860 sits comfortably below what graduates typically carry. In Hawaii's small tech market, where other computer science programs show reported earnings around $57,000-$59,000, these estimates appear plausibleβthough Hawaii's remoteness and cost of living create unique dynamics that generic national comparisons may not fully capture.
The comparison to Hawaii's other programs reveals something important: the state median debt for computer science degrees is $41,693, substantially higher than this estimate. If BYU-Hawaii's actual outcomes track closer to their broader institutional pattern of keeping debt manageable (these estimates come from similar private nonprofit schools nationally), that could represent meaningful savings. However, without program-specific data, you're essentially betting that this particular program follows favorable trends rather than knowing it does.
The practical takeaway: the fundamentals look sound based on comparable programs, but you're working with educated guesses rather than track record. Before committing, try to connect with recent graduates directly to understand actual job placement and debt loadsβthe university should be able to facilitate this even if the DOE can't publish the data.
Where Brigham Young University-Hawaii Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all computer and information sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Hawaii
Computer and Information Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Hawaii (4 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,438 | $61,322* | β | $25,860* | β | |
| β | $59,291* | $75,606 | $41,693* | 0.70 | |
| $12,186 | $57,207* | $71,292 | β* | β | |
| National Median | β | $61,322* | β | $25,000* | 0.41 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with computer and information sciences graduates
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Software Developers
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Computer Network Architects
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Information Security Analysts
Database Administrators
Database Architects
Data Warehousing Specialists
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Brigham Young University-Hawaii, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 443 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.