Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at University of Hawaii at Manoa

With only two engineering programs in Hawaii, University of Hawaii at Manoa sits right at the state median—though that's the result of being one of just two options. The more telling comparison is national: these graduates earn about $7,000 less in their first year than the typical electrical engineering graduate nationwide, landing in just the 17th percentile. Four years out, earnings climb to $84,271, a respectable 19% gain, but this still lags behind peer programs on the mainland.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $20,539, graduates borrow roughly $4,500 less than the national norm, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29. That means about three and a half months of first-year salary covers the entire debt load—well below the threshold where student loans become burdensome. The moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes rather than a few outliers skewing the data.

For families committed to staying in Hawaii, this represents the practical choice for electrical engineering. The lower starting salary likely reflects Hawaii's isolated labor market and limited tech industry compared to mainland hubs. If your student is open to relocating after graduation—where electrical engineering salaries typically run higher—this could work as an affordable entry point to the field. Just understand you're trading lower debt for below-average starting earnings in a field that usually pays quite well nationally.