Fine and Studio Arts at University of Hawaii at Manoa

The real story here isn't the $17,626 starting salary—it's the trajectory. UH Manoa's Fine Arts graduates more than double their earnings within four years, jumping to $36,960. That growth pattern is unusual for arts programs and suggests graduates are finding their footing in Hawaii's creative economy, whether through gallery work, design, or commercial arts. With only four schools offering this program in Hawaii, you're looking at one of the limited options for staying in-state.

The debt picture is manageable relative to other art programs nationally, landing in the 69th percentile—meaning 31% of similar programs carry higher debt loads. At $22,411, the burden is real but not crushing, especially given Hawaii's high cost of living. The 1.27 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one looks worse than it becomes; by year four, it's practically paid off on paper. Still, that first year will be lean, and there's no getting around the fact that UH Manoa graduates start well below the national median for art programs.

For families committed to keeping their student in Hawaii, this program makes practical sense—it ranks at the 60th percentile statewide. But if your child can access mainland programs with stronger networks in major art markets, they should seriously consider that path. The growth trajectory is promising, but only if your family can weather that challenging first year on essentially minimum wage.