Finance and Financial Management Services at University of Hawaii at Manoa

UH Manoa's finance program starts slow but shows impressive momentum, with graduates nearly matching the national median by year four after beginning well below it. The initial $44,594 salary ranks in just the 11th percentile nationally—about $9,000 below what finance grads typically earn elsewhere. However, that 30% earnings jump to $58,144 suggests these graduates are catching up quickly, approaching the national median of $53,590 (though the comparison point is one year earlier). The modest $21,460 debt load helps considerably here, giving graduates breathing room during those lower-earning early years.

Within Hawaii's limited finance landscape (only three schools offer this program), UH Manoa sits at the 60th percentile—essentially middle of the pack locally. This raises an important question about whether Hawaii's finance job market simply pays less across the board, or whether local employers value work experience over initial credentials. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 is manageable, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, which is reasonable even with the below-average starting point.

For families comfortable with a slower professional launch in exchange for staying in Hawaii, this program works financially—the debt is contained and earnings trajectory points upward. But students eyeing mainland finance careers should recognize they'll start at a significant disadvantage compared to peers from other programs, even if that gap narrows over time.