Criminal Justice and Corrections at University of Hawaii at Hilo

A bachelor's in criminal justice from UH Hilo appears to produce first-year earnings around $38,500—slightly above both the national and Hawaii medians for the field. While the debt figure of roughly $25,000 comes from comparable programs nationally rather than UH Hilo's actual graduates, this debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 suggests manageable repayment. The concerning element isn't the starting position but what happens next: earnings actually decline to $37,600 by year four, a pattern that runs counter to typical career progression.

This earnings stagnation matters more in Hawaii's high cost-of-living environment. The program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, but that still leaves graduates earning considerably less than University of Phoenix-Hawaii's criminal justice alumni ($48,000). For a field where many positions are government-funded with compressed salary schedules, Hawaii's limited job market and geographic isolation may cap advancement opportunities that mainland graduates might access by relocating.

The relatively low debt burden provides some cushion, but parents should understand they're likely funding a degree that leads to stable employment rather than growing income. If your child is committed to law enforcement or corrections work specifically in Hawaii, this represents a reasonable path. If they're exploring criminal justice because it seems practical, have honest conversations about whether the flat earnings trajectory aligns with their long-term financial goals—especially if staying in one of America's most expensive states.