Students at Chaminade University benefit from above-average earnings outcomes and broad educational access in Hawaii's unique setting.
The university combines strong accessibility for diverse student populations with the personalized attention that comes from a small private college environment.
Chaminade University of Honolulu is a small private nonprofit institution serving about 1,200 students in one of the nation's most unique campus settings. As an "Under-Resourced Institution" in Azimuth's mobility framework, Chaminade provides broad access to higher education—with 42% of students receiving Pell Grants and similar shares being first-generation college students—but faces challenges in delivering the strong earnings outcomes that characterize top-performing institutions.
Graduates earn a median of $52,343 ten years after enrollment, which places the university around the 60th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. However, this figure falls short of what similar students achieve at other institutions, reflecting the economic realities of Hawaii's job market and the university's program mix. The institution's strength lies in its accessibility and supportive environment rather than in maximizing long-term financial returns.
For students drawn to Hawaii's lifestyle and seeking a close-knit academic community, Chaminade offers meaningful educational experiences. The university's small size enables personalized attention and strong student-faculty relationships, though families should understand that the financial outcomes may not match those available at larger mainland institutions with different program portfolios and regional economic advantages.
Chaminade's program portfolio reflects its mission to serve Hawaii's workforce needs, with nursing standing out as both the most economically successful and largest program by total return. The Adult Health Nursing program graduates 66 students annually with median earnings of $62,343, making it the clear financial leader on campus and demonstrating the university's strength in preparing healthcare professionals for Hawaii's growing medical sector.
Corrections Administration, the university's largest program with 53 graduates, leads to median earnings of $38,072 and reflects Chaminade's commitment to criminal justice and public service careers. Adult and Continuing Education, with 36 graduates earning around $45,305, serves Hawaii's need for educational professionals and lifelong learning specialists. These programs collectively illustrate the university's focus on essential community services rather than high-growth, high-salary fields.
The program mix reveals both Chaminade's strengths and limitations. While nursing provides a clear pathway to solid middle-class earnings, most other programs lead to careers that, while socially valuable, offer more modest financial returns. This concentration in service-oriented fields helps explain why Chaminade graduates, despite receiving quality education, often earn less than peers at institutions with stronger representation in business, technology, and other high-growth sectors.
Chaminade University graduates earn a median of $52,343 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution around the 60th percentile nationally for long-term earnings. However, graduates typically earn about $5,100 less than similar students at other institutions, reflecting both Hawaii's unique economic landscape and the university's program concentration in fields that, while personally rewarding, tend to offer more moderate financial returns.
The university's strongest financial outcomes come from its nursing program, where 66 graduates earn a median of $62,343 ten years out, making it both the highest-earning and most economically impactful program on campus. Corrections Administration, the largest program with 53 graduates, leads to median earnings of $38,072, while Adult and Continuing Education graduates earn around $45,305. These programs reflect Chaminade's focus on service-oriented careers that are essential to Hawaii's communities but typically offer more modest compensation than high-growth fields like technology or finance.
The earnings pattern at Chaminade reflects both geographic and programmatic realities. Hawaii's cost of living is notably high, which affects how far graduate earnings stretch, while the state's economy centers heavily on tourism, education, healthcare, and government—sectors that provide stable employment but generally lower pay scales than mainland metropolitan areas with diverse corporate headquarters and high-tech industries.
Chaminade University's affordability picture is challenging, with net prices that place significant financial pressure on most families. Low-income students pay about $31,894 annually after aid, while middle-income families face costs around $24,488 per year—both figures well above what most public universities charge. Even families in higher income brackets pay approximately $27,774 annually, making Chaminade one of the more expensive options in the national landscape.
The university's aid structure appears to provide some relief for middle-income families compared to the sticker price, but the overall cost burden remains substantial across all income levels. Most students who borrow take on federal student loans averaging $23,250, while families often supplement with Parent PLUS loans averaging $28,507. These debt levels, combined with Hawaii's high cost of living and the university's moderate earnings outcomes, create financial pressures that extend well beyond graduation.
What makes the affordability challenge more acute is that Chaminade's graduates enter a job market where salaries often lag behind mainland levels, yet living costs—particularly housing—remain among the highest in the nation. This dynamic means that the debt students and families take on to attend Chaminade may be harder to service than similar debt loads would be in lower-cost regions with stronger earning potential.
Chaminade University Of Honolulu Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
