Mathematics at University of Hawaii at Hilo

A mathematics bachelor's degree from UH Hilo comes with an estimated $21,500 in debt—right at the national median—for projected first-year earnings of roughly $49,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 suggests graduates could potentially manage repayment within a year or two of focused effort, which is a reasonably healthy start for a STEM degree. However, these figures are drawn from national benchmarks across hundreds of math programs, not from UH Hilo's actual graduate outcomes, so they represent what's typical rather than what this specific campus delivers.

The challenge lies in Hawaii's job market reality. UH Manoa's reported math graduates earn about $40,000—some $9,000 below the national median used for this estimate. If UH Hilo follows similar patterns, the debt picture becomes tighter, particularly given Hawaii's high cost of living. That said, UH Hilo serves a meaningful population (40% receive Pell grants) in a geographically isolated location where local access to a four-year degree matters.

The key question is placement: where do UH Hilo math graduates actually work? If they stay in Hawaii and face Manoa-like earnings, this program requires careful financial planning. If the degree serves as a pathway to mainland jobs or graduate school, the national earnings benchmark becomes more relevant. Given the data gaps, contact the math department directly and ask for recent graduate outcomes—where students landed jobs, what they're earning, and whether those opportunities exist locally or require leaving the islands.