Economics at University of Hawaii at Manoa

UH Manoa's Economics program starts graduates at just $35,000—landing in the bottom 5% nationally for this major and $17,000 below the national median. However, that's actually the *highest* among Hawaii's three economics programs, placing it in the 60th percentile statewide. The real story here is trajectory: earnings jump to nearly $49,000 by year four, a 40% gain that suggests graduates either need time to break into better-paying positions or are climbing quickly once established in their careers.

The debt picture offers some relief. At under $20,000, it's below both state and national medians for economics programs, creating a manageable 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio even with that weak first-year salary. Graduates can realistically handle loan payments while weathering those initial low-earning years.

The fundamental challenge is that economics typically opens doors to finance, consulting, and analytics roles with strong starting salaries—but Hawaii's limited corporate sector constrains those opportunities. Unless your child plans to leave the islands after graduation or has specific local connections, they'll likely face a choice: accept those below-market Hawaii wages or relocate to access the career opportunities this degree typically provides. If staying in Hawaii long-term is the priority, this program delivers acceptable in-state value; if maximizing earning potential matters more, consider mainland alternatives where economics degrees translate more directly into higher pay.