Human Services at Hawaii Pacific University

Similar Human Services bachelor's programs across the country suggest first-year earnings around $36,600—roughly $3,000 below what Hawaii's single other program with reported data produces. That gap matters when living costs in Honolulu are among the nation's highest, making every dollar of starting salary count more than it would on the mainland.

The estimated debt load of $32,500 creates a manageable 0.89 debt-to-earnings ratio on paper, which aligns closely with national norms for this field. However, that calculation assumes the earnings estimate holds true for Hawaii Pacific's graduates specifically, and doesn't account for Hawaii's unique cost-of-living pressures that can make even moderate debt feel heavier. With peer programs nationally clustering between $36,600 and $40,100 in first-year earnings, Human Services generally produces modest but steady early-career outcomes—not the kind of salary that easily absorbs both student loan payments and Honolulu rent.

The practical concern here is you're making a financial decision on double-estimated data for a helping profession that rarely produces high earnings anywhere. If your child is committed to Human Services work in Hawaii, verify what actual Hawaii Pacific graduates earn and where they're employed. The program might open doors to fulfilling nonprofit or social service careers, but those typically require either family support during the early years or accepting a longer payoff timeline than these estimates alone suggest.