Accounting at University of Hawaii at Manoa

UH Manoa's accounting program sits in the middle of the pack both nationally and within Hawaii, but its standout feature is exceptionally low debt. At just $18,417—nearly half the state median of $32,926—graduates start their careers with minimal financial burden. First-year earnings of $49,359 trail the national median by about $4,000, and within Hawaii, this program ranks at the 40th percentile, performing roughly on par with the state's median of $50,382.

The debt advantage is significant: with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, graduates owe less than five months of their starting salary. This compares favorably to many accounting programs where students carry $25,000+ in debt. While earnings growth to $58,419 by year four is solid (18% increase), the program doesn't catapult graduates into high-earning positions the way top accounting programs do. For students planning to stay in Hawaii where the cost of living is high but accounting salaries are more compressed than on the mainland, this modest earnings trajectory matters.

For a family considering UH Manoa, the calculation is straightforward: your student graduates with manageable debt and steady, if unremarkable, earning potential. If they're Hawaii residents paying in-state tuition, this program offers good value—you're not gambling with excessive debt for marginally better starting salaries available elsewhere. The low debt load provides flexibility for early career moves and life decisions that higher-debt graduates often can't afford.