University of Hawaii at Hilo
Hilo, Hawaii · Public · 60.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 47/100 · Below Average Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
University of Hawaii at Hilo scores 47 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. The institution's challenges are structural: 48.4% completion rate, $31,700 average six-year earnings, and a 14.6-year payback period against a $11,856 net price. The Hawaii cost of living significantly increases the real cost burden beyond what the $7,838 in-state tuition suggests, and median debt of $20,500 produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.647. However, the program mix contains two genuinely strong performers: Registered Nursing (37 graduates, $84,401 year-one, $111,027 at year four, B+ grade) and Pharmacy (40 graduates, $63,776 year-one, $131,134 at year four, B+ grade). Both programs deliver earnings well above the institutional median because Hawaii's healthcare labor market pays a significant geographic premium. Outside health fields, the picture is dim: Psychology (67 graduates, D grade), Communication (37 graduates, D grade), and Kinesiology (33 graduates, D grade) all carry D grades with near-$21-23k debt loads against year-one earnings below $27,000. UH Hilo's most defensible value case is as a low-cost health sciences degree in a high-need Hawaiian labor market.
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,838/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,798/yr |
| Average net price | $11,856/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $47,424 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,856 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $31,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $217 |
| Estimated payback period | 14.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 48.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,160 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $7,838/year ($20,798/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $11,856/year, or roughly $47,424 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $8,983/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $17,403/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $20,500, which works out to about $217 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($31,700) and comes to 0.65, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,983 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,243 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,535 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,734 |
| $110,001+ | $17,403 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $8,983 per year at UH Hilo. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $9,243 - nearly identical. These figures are relatively high for low-income students given Hawaii's cost of living adds substantially to indirect expenses. A $20,500 median debt against $31,700 average six-year earnings is a strained ratio. Low-income students in nursing or pharmacy have a viable path; those in social sciences or communications face a harder financial reality in Hawaii's expensive economy.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $11,535 and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $14,734. Against a 14.6-year payback period at median earnings, middle-income families are making a significant commitment. Program selection is critical: health sciences students have payback periods well under six years; social science students face 15+ year horizons.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $17,403 per year at UH Hilo. Higher-income families considering UH Hilo are primarily doing so for geographic or program-specific reasons, not ROI optimization. The institution's value case is rooted in its healthcare pipelines and Pacific region distinctiveness, not in broad financial outcomes.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Hawaii at Hilo with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $51,061 | D |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $54,330 | C+ |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $39,528 | C |
| Pharmacy | $131,134 | B+ |
| Registered Nursing | $111,027 | B+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $41,750 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,185 | - |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $48,783 | D |
| Biology | $54,200 | C |
| Agriculture, General | $44,096 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is UH Hilo's highest-earning program with strong volume: 37 graduates, $84,401 year-one, $111,027 at year four, and a B+ grade with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.318. Hawaii's healthcare labor market is chronically short-staffed and pays high nursing wages. Median debt of $26,875 is manageable against a $84k first-year salary.
Pharmacy
Pharmacy (40 graduates) earns $63,776 at year one and $131,134 at year four - the second-highest four-year earnings at the institution. The B+ grade reflects a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.321 against $20,500 median debt. The pharmacy pipeline from UH Hilo benefits from Hawaii's healthcare geography: the state has limited pharmacist supply and high demand across rural and community settings. The $131k four-year figure reflects pharmacist salary scales in the Hawaii market, which are competitive with mainland urban rates.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (59 graduates) earns $36,810 year-one and $54,330 at year four, with a C+ grade and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.503. Median debt of $18,500 is the lowest among programs with debt data. Business graduates at UH Hilo enter Hawaii's tourism, real estate, retail, and service economy - industries that provide reasonable career pathways but limited high-salary outcomes. The C+ grade reflects adequate but not exceptional returns given the Hawaii cost of living premium.
Psychology
Psychology is UH Hilo's largest program at 67 graduates and earns a D ROI grade: $26,857 year-one, $51,061 at year four, and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.841. Median debt of $22,585 against $26,857 year-one earnings creates genuine near-term financial pressure. Students who plan to pursue graduate school in psychology or counseling should factor in substantial additional borrowing. Students entering the workforce directly after graduation face a difficult debt-to-income ratio in Hawaii's high cost-of-living environment.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 67.6% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 75.1% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 66.4% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 68.4% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of Hawaii at Hilo’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 60.6% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 455-565 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 490-610 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 15-22 |
| Enrollment | 2,160 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 40.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,097 |
At 60.6%, UH Hilo is moderately selective, turning away about 4 in 10 applicants. SAT Math 455-565 and Reading 490-610 describe a broad academic preparation range. ACT 15-22 is the composite equivalent. Students below the 20th ACT percentile should be prepared for potential academic challenges in the institution's more rigorous programs.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii at Hilo (this school) | 47 | $11,856 | $47,856 |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | 72 | $15,664 | $57,624 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | 67 | $10,327 | $52,075 |
| Southwest Minnesota State University | 52 | $15,291 | $51,342 |
| Wayne State College | 46 | $15,360 | $47,075 |
| East Central University | 45 | $8,683 | $44,962 |
Who Thrives Here
UH Hilo admits 60.6% of applicants. SAT mid-ranges are 455-565 Math and 490-610 Reading. Enrollment is 2,160 undergraduates (note: the demographics.enrollment field shows 2, likely a data artifact; actual enrollment is 2,160). Pell grant rate of 40.4% reflects a significant low-income population. Students drawn to environmental science, marine biology, astronomy (UH Hilo's proximity to Mauna Kea observatories), and healthcare have specific program strengths. Students entering social sciences or communications without a clear post-graduation plan face the institution's weakest ROI outcomes.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The money case for University of Hawaii at Hilo is mixed, and worth a hard look before you commit. At $11,856 per year after aid, the typical graduate earns $47,856 ten years after entry, which means it takes about 14.6 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years. Whether it's worth it comes down to your major and your aid package.
What to keep an eye on: its 48.4% graduation rate, a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 (median across the schools we score: 0.61), a long payback period.
Median debt of $20,500 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $31,700 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. Your major - and how much you borrow - really matters.
University of Hawaii at Hilo: Common Questions
Is University of Hawaii at Hilo worth it?
In our view, the money case is mixed and worth a hard look before you commit. University of Hawaii at Hilo scores 47/100 on our ROI scale. At $11,856 a year after aid the typical graduate earns $47,856 ten years after entry, so it takes about 14.6 years to earn the cost back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does University of Hawaii at Hilo cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $11,856 a year, or roughly $47,424 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $47,856 ten years after enrolling, roughly $6,056 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off University of Hawaii at Hilo?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 14.6 years for University of Hawaii at Hilo. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $20,500, against average earnings of $31,700 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65. That is under 1.0 (a full year of those earnings); the median across the schools we score is about 0.61. How much you borrow really matters.
What is the graduation rate at University of Hawaii at Hilo?
The six-year graduation rate is 48.4%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.