Computer and Information Sciences at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hawaii's tight tech market shows up clearly here: UH Manoa computer science graduates start at $57,207, placing them below both the national median ($61,322) and just under the state average. For context, University of Phoenix-Hawaii's similar program reports nearly identical first-year earnings at $59,291, suggesting this reflects the local market more than the school itself. With estimated debt around $24,000 (based on typical borrowing at similar institutions), the financial foundation is solid—graduates face a debt load less than half their first-year salary.

The 25% earnings growth to $71,292 by year four is respectable, though it leaves graduates just reaching the 75th percentile nationally by that point. This trajectory matters in an expensive city like Honolulu, where cost of living can consume salary gains quickly. The lower-than-national starting salary becomes more manageable with reasonable debt, but parents should understand their child may need to either relocate to the mainland for higher-paying opportunities or accept a slower wealth-building path while staying in Hawaii.

For students committed to staying in Hawaii after graduation, this program offers a straightforward path into tech work without crushing debt. For those willing to move to West Coast or mainland markets, the UH Manoa degree provides the credentials to compete, though the initial earnings suggest they won't start with the premium that top-tier mainland programs deliver.