University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, Hawaii · Public · 86.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 72/100 · Fair Value
University of Hawaii at Manoa scores 72 (Fair Value) on CampusROI -- a reasonable result for Hawaii's flagship research university, though the 9.0-year payback and $39,000 median 6-year earnings reflect the structural reality of Hawaii's labor market: high cost of living and lower nominal wages relative to the mainland. In-state tuition is $12,186, and the net price of $15,664 is competitive. Median debt of $18,500 is low, producing a 0.474 debt-to-earnings ratio. The 64.3% completion rate is adequate but not strong for a flagship. The program portfolio is wide and reveals large variance: Nursing ($94,216 year-one, 119 graduates) and Engineering disciplines (Electrical, Computer, Civil all above $65,000 year-one) significantly outperform the institutional median. Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, Ecology, and East Asian Languages produce D-grade and F-grade outcomes. With 15,029 enrolled students and an 86.6% admission rate, Manoa is a large, accessible institution. The Hawaii labor market creates a structural ceiling on some earnings -- graduates who want to maximize financial outcomes often face pressure to leave the islands, which many are reluctant to do. Students should understand this tension going in.
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $12,186/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $34,218/yr |
| Average net price | $15,664/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $62,656 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,624 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $39,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $196 |
| Estimated payback period | 9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 64.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 15,029 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Hawaii at Manoa is $12,186/year ($34,218/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $15,664/year, or roughly $62,656 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $10,675/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $22,562/year.
The median graduate leaves with $18,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $196 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $57,624 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.47 - well within manageable territory.
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 | $10,675 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,246 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,469 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,760 |
| $110,001+ | $22,562 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $10,675 per year at UH Manoa. Over four years that is roughly $42,700. Against $39,000 median earnings and a 9.0-year payback, low-income students face a manageable but long return window. The $18,500 median debt and 0.474 debt ratio suggest borrowing is contained. Low-income students who pursue nursing or engineering face dramatically better outcomes than the median.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-75,000 bracket pays $14,469; the $75,001-110,000 bracket pays $18,760. The cost structure is favorable for in-state middle-income families. At $14,000-$19,000 per year, the net price is competitive within Hawaii. The payback period of 9 years is the concern for average-earnings graduates; technical and health programs reduce that significantly.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families over $110,000 pay $22,562 per year. At that price, Manoa is still cost-competitive compared with mainland flagship alternatives after factoring out travel and relocation costs. Full-pay students choosing STEM or health programs can expect a strong return. Students in arts or social sciences at full pay face a weaker financial case.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Hawaii at Manoa with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $48,005 | D |
| Marketing | $58,999 | C |
| Registered Nursing | $120,258 | A |
| Biology | $45,307 | D |
| Finance and Financial Management | $64,224 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $45,072 | C |
| Teacher Education | $55,490 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $53,332 | D |
| Civil Engineering | $87,286 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $62,119 | C+ |
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
Nursing is the highest-earning program at UH Manoa: 119 graduates, $94,216 year-one, $120,258 year-four, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.162 (ROI grade A). Median debt of $15,308 is extremely low. Hawaii has significant nursing demand across its hospital systems and aging population, and UH Manoa nursing graduates enter a regional labor market with strong local absorption. The combination of high earnings and low debt makes this the clearest value pathway at the institution.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering (45 graduates) earns $70,950 year-one and $88,869 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.289 (ROI grade B+). Median debt of $20,539 is manageable. Hawaii's defense and federal sector presence -- Pearl Harbor Naval Complex, PACOM, federal agencies -- provides demand for EE graduates that mainland institutions don't match. The B+ grade reflects solid but not elite outcomes consistent with a state flagship engineering program.
Management Information Systems
Management Information Systems (45 graduates) earns $53,758 year-one and $76,713 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.244 (ROI grade A). Median debt of $13,133 is the lowest in the school's portfolio. The A grade reflects an unusually clean debt-to-earnings ratio -- MIS at Manoa produces tech-capable graduates with minimal debt entering Hawaii's tourism-adjacent technology sector. A strong value choice for students interested in business technology.
Psychology
Psychology (201 graduates -- the largest volume program) earns $27,351 year-one and $48,005 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.817 (ROI grade D). With 201 graduates annually, this is the school's highest-volume program, and its D-grade outcomes pull the institutional average down. Median debt of $22,352 against $27,351 starting earnings is strained. Students should understand that psychology at any institution, without a graduate degree, typically produces limited earnings premium.
Marketing
Marketing (144 graduates) earns $34,383 year-one and $58,999 year-four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.567 (ROI grade C). Median debt of $19,500 is modest. The C grade reflects that while four-year earnings reach $59k, the year-one starting point is low relative to cost. Hawaii's tourism and hospitality economy creates marketing roles, but competition is significant. Students should note that a substantial portion of Marketing graduates remain in Hawaii where nominal salaries are lower than mainland equivalents.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 73.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 78.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 75.2% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 79.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 86.6% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 533-640 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 548-653 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 17-25 |
| Enrollment | 15,029 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 26.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $14,472 |
At 86.6% admission, Manoa is effectively open-enrollment for most applicants meeting basic requirements. SAT ranges of 533-640 Math and 548-653 Reading, ACT 17-25 are broad. The research university's breadth of programs means students have wide choice, but that breadth creates wide variance in outcomes. Admission is accessible; program selection is the more consequential decision.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Manoa's peer set includes University of Hawaii at Hilo, UH West Oahu, Oakland University, Montclair State University, and Kansas State University. Within the UH system, Manoa is the clear research flagship. Oakland University (Michigan) and Montclair State (New Jersey) are mainland regional universities in the same ROI tier. Kansas State is a better-performing land-grant that illustrates the earnings advantage of certain ag and engineering programs over Manoa's mix. Manoa's 72 score reflects a solid public university constrained by Hawaii's labor market and a wide program mix that includes many low-earning disciplines.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Hawaii at Manoa (this school) | 72 | $15,664 | $57,624 |
| Oakland University | 71 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| Montclair State University | 71 | $15,566 | $61,415 |
| Kansas State University | 69 | $19,406 | $57,262 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | 67 | $10,327 | $52,075 |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo | 47 | $11,856 | $47,856 |
Who Thrives Here
UH Manoa admits 86.6% of applicants with SAT mid-ranges of 533-640 Math and 548-653 Reading, ACT 17-25. Enrollment of 15,029 and a 26.2% Pell rate reflect a diverse Hawaii student population. The institution is best suited to students committed to staying in Hawaii who choose technical, health, or business programs. Students choosing social sciences, arts, or humanities at Manoa face earnings data showing limited premium over non-degree alternatives in the Hawaii labor market. Engineering and nursing graduates have the strongest financial outcomes and regional job placement.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
University of Hawaii at Manoa offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $15,664 per year leads to $62,656 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $57,624 a decade out. The payback period of 9 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $18,500 against $57,624 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
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.