Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Hawaii-West Oahu

At $29,588 in first-year earnings, this liberal arts degree outperforms the Hawaii median for the field by nearly $5,000—placing graduates at the 60th percentile statewide. That's meaningful context in a state where the typical liberal arts graduate from any school earns just $24,831. The debt load of $18,952 is also notably lower than Hawaii's median for this program ($21,414), creating a manageable 0.64 debt-to-earnings ratio that allows graduates to realistically pay down loans while establishing themselves professionally in one of the nation's most expensive housing markets.

The national comparison looks weaker—20th percentile for earnings—but this reflects Hawaii's broader economic reality rather than a program-specific failure. Cost of living matters, and keeping debt roughly $8,000 below the national median ($27,000) while achieving reasonable local earnings is arguably smarter than chasing higher nominal salaries that come with proportionally larger debt burdens. The 96% admission rate and accessible price point serve students who might otherwise skip college entirely.

The caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. That said, for Hawaii families seeking an affordable bachelor's degree that delivers better-than-average local earnings with below-average debt, UH West Oahu presents a sensible option—especially for students planning to remain in the islands post-graduation.