Computer Science at University of Hawaii at Manoa

UH Manoa's Computer Science program starts graduates at just $42,874—a figure that trails 95% of comparable programs nationally and lands below even Hawaii's modest state median of $57,661. This places your child in the bottom quartile of Hawaii's CS programs, a concerning position given that nearby Hawaii Pacific University's graduates earn $72,448 right out of the gate. That's a $30,000 annual gap that compounds over time.

The silver lining is trajectory: earnings jump 66% to $71,296 by year four, eventually reaching respectable territory. But this delayed ramp-up means your child will spend those crucial early career years earning significantly less than peers at other programs while Hawaii's high cost of living bites into every paycheck. The $14,780 debt load is manageable—actually among the lowest nationally—but it doesn't offset the opportunity cost of those lost earnings years.

For families counting on Computer Science as a reliable investment, this program underdelivers. Unless your child has compelling reasons to stay at UH Manoa (perhaps family obligations or a specific research interest), stronger in-state options exist, and mainland programs would likely offer better immediate returns. The eventual earnings recovery doesn't fully compensate for starting so far behind in one of tech's most competitive hiring landscapes.