Environmental Design at University of Hawaii at Manoa

UH Manoa's Environmental Design program starts slow but builds momentum, with graduates seeing a 69% jump in earnings between years one and four. That trajectory matters more than the modest $37,849 starting salary, especially since the $22,047 median debt is manageable—requiring roughly 58 cents of every dollar earned in year one. Within four years, graduates reach nearly $64,000, well above both national and state benchmarks for this field.

The national ranking at the 24th percentile is somewhat misleading here. As the only program in Hawaii, this degree serves a specific regional market, and it performs exactly at the state median (which is itself, since it's the only option). For families committed to staying in Hawaii—where environmental design skills are increasingly relevant for sustainable development—this represents a practical path. The debt load is reasonable compared to national figures, and the strong earnings growth suggests graduates find their footing in the local market.

The major caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary considerably. If your child is certain about environmental design and wants to remain in Hawaii, this program offers reasonable economics. If they're uncertain about the major or considering mainland opportunities, recognize they'd start behind graduates from higher-ranked programs elsewhere.