Business/Commerce at Hawaii Pacific University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 for a business degree isn't alarming on paper, but the reality for Hawaii Pacific University is more complicated. Similar business programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $47,500, while comparable institutions report median debt near $27,000. The challenge? This is Honolulu, where the cost of living runs roughly 80% above the national average. That estimated $47,500 goes nowhere near as far as it would in most mainland markets, making the debt burden functionally heavier than the ratio suggests.

With only two business programs in Hawaii and no reported outcomes data from either, you're flying blind on what specifically works in the local economy. The 84% admission rate and modest test scores suggest this isn't a highly selective program, which typically correlates with weaker employer networks and career support. Business degrees are everywhere—471 schools offer them nationally—so the credential alone won't differentiate your child unless Hawaii Pacific has exceptional local connections that justify both the debt and the island premium.

Before committing, get concrete answers about job placement rates, internship programs with Hawaii employers, and whether graduates actually stay in the state or relocate to find work that can service this debt level. The numbers here are educated guesses, and without clearer outcomes data, you're essentially betting on a generic credential in one of America's most expensive markets.