University of Hawaii at Hilo
University of Hawaii at Hilo — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Hawaii at Hilo at a Glance
The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is a public university in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, United States. It is one of ten campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi System. It was founded as Hilo Center at Lyman Hall of the Hilo Boys School in 1945 and was a branch campus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. In 1970 it was reorganized by an act of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature and became a campus within the newly created University of Hawaiʻi System.
1945
81 years old
$491M
$491.36 million (2023) (system-wide)
3,539
2,971 undergrad · 568 grad
210
115 acres
Identity
Is University of Hawaii at Hilo Worth It?
University of Hawaii at Hilo offers moderate value at $11,856/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $47,856, which is 11% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 45% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How University of Hawaii at Hilo compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #33 of 101 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #33 | University of Hawaii at Hilo | 45 | $11,856 | $47,856 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Hawaii at Hilo's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Hawaii at Hilo
The highest-earning program at University of Hawaii at Hilo is Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration at $102,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Natural Resources Conservation and Research at $18,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration graduate from University of Hawaii at Hilo earns $102,200, while a Natural Resources Conservation and Research graduate earns $18,900. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,856/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | $102,200 | $102,200 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,800 | $68,800 | $18,543 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,500 | $32,500 | $19,654 |
| Agriculture, General | $30,500 | $30,500 | $24,740 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,200 | $28,200 | $18,516 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $24,100 | $24,100 | $20,686 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $23,100 | $23,100 | $25,102 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $22,500 | $22,500 | $20,938 |
| Psychology, General | $22,500 | $22,500 | $21,000 |
| Sociology | $21,200 | $21,200 | $17,659 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $18,900 | $18,900 | $20,750 |
Similar Colleges in HI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Hilo, HI
- Student Body
- 2,160 students
- Admission Rate
- 61%
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,856
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,856
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500