Psychology at University of Hawaii at Hilo

Among Hawaii's five psychology programs, University of Hawaii at Hilo sits right in the middle with graduates earning $26,857 initially—below both the state median ($27,104) and significantly behind the national benchmark ($31,482). That 15th percentile national ranking is sobering. However, the story here is about trajectory rather than starting point: earnings jump 53% by year four to reach $41,183, substantially outpacing what most psychology graduates see. That growth pattern suggests the initial lag reflects Hawaii's unique labor market rather than program weakness.

The debt load of $22,585 is actually lower than both state and national medians, which matters given those modest initial earnings. At a 0.84 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates face about ten months of their first-year salary in debt—manageable if they can navigate that challenging first year. The 40% Pell Grant rate indicates this serves many first-generation and lower-income students who benefit from the high admission rate and affordable debt structure.

For Hawaii families, this program offers a practical path: lower debt than alternatives and strong earnings growth that closes the gap with pricier in-state options. Parents should understand their child will likely struggle financially in year one, but if they can secure employment that leverages the degree—perhaps in Hawaii's tourism, education, or social services sectors—the four-year outlook becomes considerably brighter than the initial paycheck suggests.