Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies at University of Hawaii at Manoa

The first year out of college looks rough—$20,109 puts this program at just the 5th percentile nationally—but the trajectory tells a different story. By year four, earnings jump 73% to nearly $35,000, suggesting graduates are finding their footing in Hawaii's job market. Among the state's limited options for this field (only two schools offer it), this program sits at the median, though that's admittedly not a high bar.

The $20,250 in debt is actually below the national average for this major, and with the debt-to-earnings ratio starting at 1.01, graduates technically earn enough in year one to cover their loans—though living in one of America's most expensive states on $20,000 is obviously challenging. The real question is whether the year-four earnings of $34,829 justify the degree, and frankly, that's $3,000 below what the typical graduate in this field earns nationally right out of school.

For families committed to this area of study and Hawaii residency, this represents the standard option with relatively manageable debt. But parents should understand their child will likely face several lean years while building toward a still-modest income. If career flexibility or higher earning potential matters, exploring programs with stronger immediate outcomes would be wise—even if it means looking at different fields of study entirely.