Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Kapiolani Community College

Nursing credentials in Hawaii come with special promise: by year four, graduates from this program earn a reported $63,154—substantially above the national median for practical nursing programs. That's the real number to focus on, not the estimated $44,134 first-year figure derived from national benchmarks. This four-year trajectory suggests strong demand for nursing professionals in Hawaii's healthcare market, where cost of living is high but so is compensation.

The estimated debt load of roughly $13,700 creates a manageable 0.31 ratio against those first-year earnings, meaning graduates would owe less than four months' salary. With only four nursing programs of this type in Hawaii, Kapiolani appears positioned in a less saturated market than mainland alternatives. The jump from estimated first-year to actual fourth-year earnings—nearly $19,000—indicates either rapid wage growth or that many graduates continue their education while working, both positive signals.

For families weighing this investment, the fourth-year earnings figure is your anchor point. It's actual reported data from Kapiolani graduates, not an estimate, and it shows this credential translating into solid income in Hawaii's expensive housing market. The low debt burden keeps financial risk contained while your child establishes a healthcare career with clear advancement potential.