Liberal Arts & Humanitiesat University of Hawaii at Manoa
Graduates earn $20,074/yr in their first year — about 46.0% below the national Liberal Arts & Humanities average. Base-case 10-year earnings $590K; scenarios range from $566K to $590K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Hawaii at Manoa
Studying Liberal Arts and General Studies at UH Manoa offers a broad intellectual foundation, but the unique regional labor market significantly shapes post-graduation earnings. Hawaii's economy is distinct, with a high cost of living and specific industry demands primarily centered around tourism, government, and military sectors. While you'll develop critical thinking and communication skills, direct career pipelines from a general humanities degree into high-paying roles are less common here compared to more specialized fields or larger mainland markets. Many graduates find initial roles in local non-profits, government agencies, or support positions across various industries, where compensation can reflect the island's economic structure. To maximize your financial outlook, proactively seek internships aligned with your interests and consider pairing your studies with vocational minors or certificates, or planning for advanced degrees to specialize for high-demand positions within or outside Hawaii.
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.
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.
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.
Peer schools offering Liberal Arts & Humanities
How University of Hawaii at Manoa stacks up against other schools offering this major.
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 Liberal Arts & Humanities offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Liberal Arts & Humanities trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Liberal Arts & Humanities at University of Hawaii at Manoa
What does a 23/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at University of Hawaii at Manoa?
At 23/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is University of Hawaii at Manoa a good choice for Liberal Arts & Humanities 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.