Psychology at University of Hawaii at Manoa

UH Manoa's psychology program demonstrates a pattern parents should understand: graduates face a tough first year but see meaningful income growth afterward. That initial $27,351 salary ranks in just the 18th percentile nationally—roughly $4,000 below what psychology graduates typically earn elsewhere. However, by year four, earnings jump to $42,894, a 57% increase that outpaces most bachelor's programs.

Within Hawaii's limited psychology market, this program actually ranks in the 60th percentile despite those low starting numbers, which tells you more about Hawaii's challenging wage environment than the program itself. The $22,352 debt load is manageable compared to both state and national medians, though that first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82 means recent graduates will need family support or supplemental income while establishing their careers.

The real question is whether your child plans to stay in Hawaii, where even the highest-earning psychology program (Chaminade at $29,445) barely cracks $30,000 initially. If mainland opportunities are on the table after graduation, this program's strong earnings trajectory becomes more valuable. For families committed to Hawaii, this represents the second-best option in the state with reasonable debt, but expect those first 1-2 years post-graduation to be financially tight.