Public Policyat University of Hawaii-West Oahu
Graduates earn $42,481/yr in their first year — about 14.0% below the national Public Policy average. Base-case 10-year earnings $524K; scenarios range from $488K to $527K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Hawaii-West Oahu
Graduates earn $42,481/yr, roughly in line with the $49,353 national median for Public Policy. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Public Policy programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Public Policy's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $42,481 far exceeding the $13,687 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #23 of 45 Public Policy programs, University of Hawaii-West Oahu falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $42,481 to $53,361 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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-West Oahu'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 Public Policy
How University of Hawaii-West Oahu stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Hawaii-West Oahu
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Hawaii-West Oahu, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Public Policy offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Public Policy trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Public Policy at University of Hawaii-West Oahu
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Public Policy at University of Hawaii-West Oahu?
This program scores 65/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Public Policy programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Public Policy careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $487,512 in decade earnings vs $527,285 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.