Best Value Degrees in Hawaii (2026)
The best college programs in Hawaii, ranked by overall value. We scored 81 programs across Hawaii schools on earnings, AI resilience, job demand, and tuition ROI. The top programs average $42,383/yr in graduate earnings.
Why a Nursing Degree from Hilo Outranks Honolulu
UH Hilo's #1 ranking for Nursing is a masterclass in value. While UH Manoa nurses earn slightly more ($94k vs $84k), Hilo's significantly lower 4-year tuition ($31,352) delivers a far superior 29.0x return on investment. Located on the Big Island, the program feeds directly into the state's high-demand healthcare system, but without the higher cost of living and tuition associated with Honolulu. This combination of lower cost and strong, statewide employment outcomes makes it the smartest financial choice in Hawaii.
The ROI Shocker: How a Hilo Pharmacy Degree Delivers 44x Returns
The most surprising find isn't the #1 program, but #3: UH Hilo's Pharmacy degree. It boasts an incredible 44.1x ROI, the highest in our analysis by a wide margin. Despite graduates earning a relatively modest $63,776/yr to start, the program's extremely low public tuition makes it a financial powerhouse. This proves that focusing solely on the highest starting salary is a mistake; the true value lies in the ratio of earnings to cost, making this Hilo program a hidden gem for long-term financial success.
Decoding AI Risk: Why Tech and Nursing Face Different Futures
Don't let the "High" AI risk ratings scare you equally across all fields. For Computer Engineering (#4) and Computer Science (#6), very high risk (62% and 59%) means AI is automating routine coding, making entry-level roles more competitive and demanding higher-level system design skills from day one. In contrast, for Nursing (#1, #2), the 43% risk is concentrated in administrative tasks, freeing up nurses for the irreplaceable human-centric work of patient care. Tech majors must learn to manage AI; nursing majors will find AI managing their paperwork.
The Public School Advantage: A 3x ROI Gap
In Hawaii's value rankings, public universities dominate for a simple reason: tuition. While private schools like Chaminade (#5) and HPU (#7) offer excellent nursing programs with high earnings ($81k and $76k), their 4-year tuition of over $119,000 crushes their ROI to just 7.9x and 7.4x. Public competitors at UH Hilo and Manoa offer similar or better earnings for a fraction of the cost, resulting in ROIs of 29.0x and 22.0x. For students focused on financial outcomes, the state's public university system provides a nearly insurmountable advantage.
Leading the field for Best Degrees in Hawaii
The top four programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Full ranking of 81 programs below.
Top Programs in Hawaii
Top 81 programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full analysis.
| # | Program | DW Score | Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Nursing
University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI
|
90
86–90
|
$84,401/yr | High | 29.0x |
| 2 |
Nursing
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
90
86–90
|
$94,216/yr | High | 22.0x |
| 3 |
Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI
|
85
83–86
|
$63,776/yr | High | 44.1x |
| 4 |
Computer Engineering
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
82
76–84
|
$65,003/yr | Very High | 23.0x |
| 5 |
Nursing
Chaminade University of Honolulu · Honolulu, HI
|
80
77–80
|
$81,125/yr | High | 7.9x |
| 6 |
Information Sciences
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
80
73–81
|
$57,207/yr | Very High | 16.0x |
| 7 |
Nursing
Hawaii Pacific University · Honolulu, HI
|
79
77–79
|
$75,892/yr | High | 7.4x |
| 8 |
Electrical Engineering
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
73
70–74
|
$70,950/yr | Very High | 19.6x |
| 9 |
Civil Engineering
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
72
70–73
|
$70,330/yr | High | 16.7x |
| 10 |
Business Administration
Brigham Young University-Hawaii · Laie, HI
|
72
66–72
|
$41,461/yr | High | 26.0x |
| 11 |
Computer Science
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
71
67–72
|
$42,874/yr | Very High | 15.7x |
| 12 |
Accounting
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
71
68–73
|
$49,359/yr | Very High | 12.4x |
| 13 |
Finance
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
70
69–71
|
$44,594/yr | Very High | 13.0x |
| 14 |
Mechanical Engineering
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
69
68–71
|
$53,182/yr | Very High | 19.1x |
| 15 |
Teacher Education
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
68
71–68
|
$50,401/yr | High | 10.8x |
| 16 |
Nursing
University of Phoenix-Hawaii · Kapolei, HI
|
67
64–67
|
$98,826/yr | High | — |
| 17 |
Dental Services
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
66
65–66
|
$71,260/yr | Moderate | 13.7x |
| 18 |
Public Policy
University of Hawaii-West Oahu · Kapolei, HI
|
65
62–66
|
$42,481/yr | High | 16.6x |
| 19 |
Human Resources
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
63
57–63
|
$44,615/yr | High | 13.1x |
| 20 |
Computer Science
Hawaii Pacific University · Honolulu, HI
|
63
57–65
|
$72,448/yr | Very High | 4.5x |
| 21 |
Business Administration
University of Hawaii-West Oahu · Kapolei, HI
|
63
59–64
|
$38,495/yr | High | 17.4x |
| 22 |
Management Information Systems
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
62
55–64
|
$53,758/yr | Very High | 13.6x |
| 23 |
Information Sciences
University of Phoenix-Hawaii · Kapolei, HI
|
62
55–63
|
$59,291/yr | Very High | — |
| 24 |
Business Administration
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
61
56–62
|
$39,948/yr | High | 11.2x |
| 25 |
Special Education and Teaching
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
60
60–61
|
$60,396/yr | High | 11.7x |
| 26 |
IT Management
University of Phoenix-Hawaii · Kapolei, HI
|
60
55–62
|
$60,401/yr | Very High | — |
| 27 |
Business Administration
University of Phoenix-Hawaii · Kapolei, HI
|
59
53–60
|
$58,268/yr | High | — |
| 28 |
Accounting
University of Phoenix-Hawaii · Kapolei, HI
|
59
56–61
|
$51,405/yr | Very High | — |
| 29 |
International Business
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
58
52–58
|
$50,923/yr | Very High | 8.8x |
| 30 |
Business Administration
University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI
|
57
52–58
|
$36,810/yr | High | 14.3x |
| 31 |
Education
University of Hawaii-West Oahu · Kapolei, HI
|
57
56–58
|
$52,079/yr | High | 18.1x |
| 32 |
Criminal Justice
University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI
|
56
45–56
|
$38,528/yr | Moderate | 13.8x |
| 33 |
Health and Medical Administrative Services
University of Phoenix-Hawaii · Kapolei, HI
|
55
50–55
|
$44,580/yr | High | — |
| 34 |
Business Administration
Hawaii Pacific University · Honolulu, HI
|
53
47–54
|
$45,651/yr | High | 3.2x |
| 35 |
Human Resources
University of Phoenix-Hawaii · Kapolei, HI
|
53
47–54
|
$57,983/yr | High | — |
| 36 |
Biology
University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI
|
52
51–52
|
$35,373/yr | High | 18.6x |
| 37 |
Mathematics
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
52
52–53
|
$39,963/yr | Very High | 11.9x |
| 38 |
Criminal Justice
University of Phoenix-Hawaii · Kapolei, HI
|
52
43–53
|
$47,987/yr | Moderate | — |
| 39 |
Economics
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
51
55–52
|
$35,041/yr | Very High | 11.0x |
| 40 |
Education
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
50
49–51
|
$60,288/yr | High | 11.4x |
| 41 |
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
50
45–51
|
$44,853/yr | High | 6.9x |
| 42 |
Environmental Design
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
46
53–47
|
$37,849/yr | High | 12.4x |
| 43 |
Marketing
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
46
42–46
|
$34,383/yr | Very High | 9.7x |
| 44 |
Social Sciences
University of Hawaii-West Oahu · Kapolei, HI
|
46
52–47
|
$34,388/yr | High | 12.7x |
| 45 |
Criminal Justice
Chaminade University of Honolulu · Honolulu, HI
|
45
34–45
|
$35,300/yr | Moderate | 3.5x |
| 46 |
Human Development & Family Studies
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
45
48–45
|
$36,040/yr | High | 6.4x |
| 47 |
Communication and Media Studies
University of Phoenix-Hawaii · Kapolei, HI
|
42
34–43
|
$47,919/yr | High | — |
| 48 |
Criminal Justice
Hawaii Pacific University · Honolulu, HI
|
41
33–42
|
$29,193/yr | Moderate | 3.3x |
| 49 |
Business Administration
Chaminade University of Honolulu · Honolulu, HI
|
39
36–39
|
$30,587/yr | High | 3.1x |
| 50 |
Nutrition Sciences
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
39
38–40
|
$37,993/yr | High | 9.4x |
| 51 |
Social Work
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
39
53–39
|
$27,080/yr | Moderate | 10.9x |
| 52 |
Political Science
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
39
38–40
|
$24,964/yr | Very High | 10.4x |
| 53 |
Human Services
University of Phoenix-Hawaii · Kapolei, HI
|
39
47–39
|
$39,554/yr | Moderate | — |
| 54 |
Health & Physical Education
University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI
|
38
38–39
|
$24,815/yr | Moderate | 14.1x |
| 55 |
Psychology
University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI
|
37
36–37
|
$26,857/yr | High | 13.4x |
| 56 |
Biology
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
36
37–37
|
$28,522/yr | High | 10.2x |
| 57 |
Hospitality Management
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
36
30–36
|
$29,002/yr | High | 6.4x |
| 58 |
Health & Physical Education
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
35
35–37
|
$27,626/yr | Moderate | 9.0x |
| 59 |
Geography and Cartography
University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI
|
34
37–35
|
$30,293/yr | High | 8.7x |
| 60 |
East Asian Languages
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
34
29–34
|
$24,451/yr | Very High | 10.6x |
| 61 |
Sociology
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
34
33–34
|
$27,859/yr | High | 9.2x |
| 62 |
Agriculture
University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI
|
33
26–34
|
$35,378/yr | High | 10.3x |
| 63 |
Psychology
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
33
32–33
|
$27,351/yr | High | 8.7x |
| 64 |
Communication and Media Studies
University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI
|
32
29–32
|
$25,159/yr | High | 13.3x |
| 65 |
Animal Sciences
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
32
29–32
|
$31,285/yr | High | 5.4x |
| 66 |
Natural Resources Management and Policy
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
32
31–33
|
$20,825/yr | High | 3.3x |
| 67 |
Communication and Media Studies
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
32
26–32
|
$30,235/yr | High | 8.5x |
| 68 |
Public Health
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
32
34–33
|
$27,309/yr | High | 4.6x |
| 69 |
Psychology
Chaminade University of Honolulu · Honolulu, HI
|
28
27–28
|
$29,445/yr | High | 3.1x |
| 70 |
Sociology
University of Hawaii at Hilo · Hilo, HI
|
28
28–29
|
$24,414/yr | High | 10.5x |
| 71 |
Biochemistry
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
28
32–29
|
$32,599/yr | High | 5.7x |
| 72 |
Liberal Arts & Humanities
University of Hawaii-West Oahu · Kapolei, HI
|
26
34–27
|
$29,588/yr | Low | 8.8x |
| 73 |
Fine Arts
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
25
24–26
|
$17,626/yr | Moderate | 7.4x |
| 74 |
Psychology
Hawaii Pacific University · Honolulu, HI
|
25
24–25
|
$26,081/yr | High | 2.7x |
| 75 |
Liberal Arts & Humanities
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
23
27–24
|
$20,074/yr | Low | 9.4x |
| 76 |
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
23
24–24
|
$25,820/yr | High | 7.4x |
| 77 |
English
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
21
19–22
|
$20,570/yr | Very High | 7.3x |
| 78 |
Area Studies
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
19
20–20
|
$26,020/yr | Very High | 7.6x |
| 79 |
Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Hawaii Pacific University · Honolulu, HI
|
19
20–19
|
$25,499/yr | High | 2.6x |
| 80 |
Ethnic & Cultural Studies
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
17
14–17
|
$20,109/yr | Very High | 7.1x |
| 81 |
Graphic Communications
University of Hawaii at Manoa · Honolulu, HI
|
16
14–17
|
$16,556/yr | High | 6.0x |
Frequently asked
What is the best college program in Hawaii?
By DegreeOutlook Score, Nursing at University of Hawaii at Hilo ranks #1 in Hawaii with a score of 90/100 and graduate earnings of $84,401/yr.
How many college programs are in Hawaii?
Our database includes 81 programs across Hawaii colleges with reported earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education.