Social Sciences at University of Hawaii-West Oahu

UH-West Oahu's Social Sciences bachelor's presents an interesting paradox: while graduates earn below the national median for their field, they're actually performing at the 60th percentile among Hawaii programs—meaning most other Social Sciences graduates in the state earn the same or less. Starting at $34,388 and climbing to $37,463 after four years represents modest but steady growth, though it never quite catches the national benchmark of $37,459.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $19,889, graduates owe about $5,600 less than the national median for Social Sciences programs, yielding a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's roughly 7 months of gross income, which is reasonable territory for a liberal arts degree. However, the absolute earnings remain low—these are near Hawaii's median household income levels, which matters in one of the nation's most expensive states.

For families considering this program, the question becomes whether the relatively lighter debt load compensates for below-average earnings potential. The 96% admission rate suggests this serves as an accessible pathway to a bachelor's degree, which has value beyond immediate earnings. But if your student is deciding between Social Sciences here and other fields at UH-West Oahu, check how those programs stack up—the major choice may matter more than the institution in this case.