Hospitality Administration/Management at University of Hawaii at Manoa

While UH Manoa's hospitality program starts graduates at just $29,002—well below the national median—the numbers tell a more nuanced story. That 43% earnings jump to $41,424 by year four represents real progression in Hawaii's tourism-heavy economy, where hospitality professionals often advance through seniority and local connections. The $20,250 debt load is actually lower than both the national median and what you'd typically see for a four-year degree, keeping the immediate financial burden manageable.

The state context matters here: Hawaii has only three hospitality programs, and UH Manoa sits at the 60th percentile among them despite ranking in just the 13th percentile nationally. This gap reflects Hawaii's unique labor market where even strong hospitality programs face lower starting salaries compared to mainland tourist destinations. The trade-off is working in one of the world's premier tourism markets with built-in industry connections—UH's location in Waikiki's backyard provides internship access that translates to career advancement.

For families willing to accept a slower financial start, this program offers a practical path into Hawaii's largest industry with reasonable debt. The key question is whether your child plans to stay in Hawaii long-term, where those local industry relationships and that four-year earnings trajectory have real value, or if they're eyeing higher-paying mainland markets where they'd be starting from scratch.