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Engineering · Computer Engineering Rank #62 of 174

Computer Engineeringat University of Hawaii at Manoa

Graduates earn $65,003/yr in their first year — about 17.0% below the national Computer Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $1,149K; scenarios range from $844K to $1,232K depending on AI disruption.

Honolulu, HI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
82 STRONG
84
Optimistic
76
Pessimistic
Earnings
$65,003
1-year post-graduation
ROI
23.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$1,149K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Very High
62% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Hawaii at Manoa

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.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$844K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score76/100
Earnings Multiple17.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$1,149K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score82/100
Earnings Multiple23.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$1,232K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score84/100
Earnings Multiple25.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Hawaii at Manoa's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Computer Engineering graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
2
Computer hardware engineers
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 4,700 openings/yr
$155,020/yr
Very High
3
Database architects
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$135,980/yr
Very High
4
Software developers
+15.8% 10-yr growth · 115,200 openings/yr
$133,080/yr
Very High
5
Computer network architects
+11.9% 10-yr growth · 11,200 openings/yr
$130,390/yr
High
6
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Computer Engineering

How University of Hawaii at Manoa stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
WA · Public
88
DW Score
$142K
1-yr earn
43.2x
ROI
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
WA · Public
88
DW Score
$142K
1-yr earn
43.5x
ROI
University of Virginia-Main Campus
VA · Public
84
DW Score
$118K
1-yr earn
15.6x
ROI
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
87
DW Score
$112K
1-yr earn
32.0x
ROI
Duke University
NC · Private nonprofit
76
DW Score
$111K
1-yr earn
5.6x
ROI
Also at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Other top programs at University of Hawaii at Manoa

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Hawaii at Manoa, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Engineering offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Computer Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Computer Engineering at University of Hawaii at Manoa

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.