Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Leeward Community College

Hawaii's high cost of living makes Leeward's starting salary of $21,784 particularly challenging—this ranks last among the state's 10 community colleges offering this degree, falling $4,400 below the state median. Even neighboring Windward Community College graduates earn $5,400 more in their first year. For an associate's degree that typically prepares students for either immediate work or transfer to a four-year program, these numbers suggest many graduates may struggle to cover basic expenses in one of the nation's most expensive states.

The promising news is the 52% earnings jump to $33,175 by year four, indicating graduates eventually find their footing—possibly after completing bachelor's degrees or gaining work experience. The relatively modest debt load of $9,387 means students aren't overleveraged, though it still represents five months of first-year earnings. This debt level matches the state median but sits higher than ideal for the earnings trajectory.

If your child is using this as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree, particularly at University of Hawaii, the manageable debt and Hawaii residency make sense. But if they're planning to work immediately after graduation, they should understand they'll likely need supplemental income or family support during those first years. Consider whether Kapiolani Community College's stronger outcomes ($33,307 starting) might justify the commute from Pearl City.