International Business at Chaminade University of Honolulu

Comparable international business bachelor's programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $49,890 against an estimated $25,000 in debt—a 0.50 ratio that sits in reasonable territory for a four-year degree. What complicates the picture here is Hawaii's cost of living: while similar programs in the state produce earnings closer to $51,000, that's still modest in Honolulu, where housing alone can consume half a graduate's paycheck. The estimated debt figure, derived from other Chaminade programs, runs slightly above the national median for this major, though not dramatically so.

The absence of program-specific data makes this a trickier evaluation than usual. University of Hawaii at Manoa, the only in-state program with reported outcomes, shows similar earnings, suggesting the estimate may be realistic. But without knowing this program's actual placement record or typical employers, you're essentially betting that Chaminade's international business outcomes mirror national patterns. Given the school's 93% admission rate and the fact that 42% of students receive Pell grants, it serves a different population than selective programs, which could affect employment outcomes in ways the estimates don't capture.

If your child is drawn to Hawaii's Asia-Pacific business connections, this could work—but only if you're clear-eyed about living costs and the uncertainty around actual outcomes. The debt load is manageable in theory, but Hawaii's economy may limit how quickly your graduate can pay it down.