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Computer Engineering at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, HI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $65,003/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (71% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (167,700 openings/yr)

ROI 23.6x earnings multiple (8.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #62 of 174 Computer Engineering programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Computer Engineering graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$1,232K	$1,149K	$844K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	25.3x	23.6x	17.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.0x	8.4x	6.2x
Probability of Field Employment	84%	74%	43%
DegreeOutlook Score	84	82	76

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$48,744

Out-of-state: $136,872 (8.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$52,724

-8% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,895

3.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$117,147

80% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $65,003 place University of Hawaii at Manoa below the $78,694 national median for Computer Engineering — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 23.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Computer Engineering carry above-average AI exposure (71% of tasks). The 32% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

With first-year pay of $65,003 far exceeding the $18,895 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #62 ranking among 174 Computer Engineering programs places University of Hawaii at Manoa in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $65,003-to-$117,147 earnings arc over five years reflects a 80% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Hawaii at Manoa

A 70% admission rate makes University of Hawaii at Manoa accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a mid-sized student body of 14,306 in Honolulu, HI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Hawaii at Manoa →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Computer hardware engineers $155,020/yr

Database architects $135,980/yr

View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Computer Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 82/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Computer Engineering at University of Hawaii at Manoa?

At 82/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Computer Engineering at University of Hawaii at Manoa?

The 71% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of Hawaii at Manoa a good choice for Computer Engineering despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Hawaii at Manoa's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →