Human Development, Family Studies, at University of Hawaii at Manoa

UH Manoa's Human Development program graduates earn above the national median for this field, placing in the 73rd percentile nationally with first-year earnings of $36,040. More importantly, students leave with substantially less debt than typical—$18,250 versus the $25,000 national median. This combination yields a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51, meaning graduates can expect to clear their loans in about six months of pre-tax income. While there's only one program in Hawaii to compare against (this one), the relative affordability compared to mainland peers makes this a practical choice for in-state students.

The tradeoff here is straightforward: you're choosing a helping profession that won't generate Silicon Valley salaries, but the program sets students up reasonably well within that reality. Human development careers typically involve social services, education support, or family counseling—fields where $36,000 starting salaries are standard. The low debt load matters here because these careers often follow predictable salary tracks rather than explosive growth curves.

For Hawaii families, this represents solid value if your child is genuinely drawn to family and community-focused work. The in-state tuition advantage keeps debt manageable, and graduates enter the workforce earning slightly more than their mainland counterparts while owing considerably less. Just ensure your student understands they're choosing purpose over paycheck—this isn't a wealth-building degree, but it won't saddle them with unmanageable debt either.