Special Education and Teaching at University of Hawaii at Manoa

With first-year earnings of $60,396 and just $16,500 in debt, University of Hawaii at Manoa's special education program appears remarkably strong—earning at the 95th percentile nationally while carrying debt at the 95th percentile (meaning among the lowest in the country). That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 is exceptional for teaching, where many programs saddle graduates with debt exceeding their first-year salaries. However, the 60th percentile ranking within Hawaii suggests this may simply reflect the state's higher cost of living and corresponding teacher salaries rather than program-specific excellence.

The earnings decline from $60,396 to $56,026 over four years deserves attention. This backwards trajectory is unusual and could indicate the data captured graduates during unique circumstances, or it might reflect Hawaii's specific teacher compensation structure. The small sample size—under 30 graduates—means a few outliers heavily influence these numbers, making them less reliable as predictors of individual outcomes.

For families weighing this program, the math works favorably compared to special education degrees elsewhere: you're starting with strong earnings and manageable debt. The real question is whether that $56,000 four-year salary adequately offsets Hawaii's notoriously high housing costs and living expenses. If your child plans to remain in Hawaii long-term and values the lifestyle, the financial foundation here is solid. If they might relocate to the mainland, verify how Hawaii teaching credentials transfer and whether those salary expectations hold up.