Students at University of Hawaii Maui College benefit from exceptional affordability, with net prices well below national averages for families across income levels.
The institution maintains strong financial accessibility while serving a diverse population of first-generation and Pell-eligible students in Hawaii's unique educational landscape.
Azimuth ranks University of Hawaii Maui College 1,659th out of 1,736 public four-year institutions nationwide, placing it in the bottom 5% for overall value. As a small public college in Kahului, Hawaii, UH Maui College serves a distinctive role in the state's higher education system, focusing on accessible education for local students rather than maximizing earnings outcomes. Nearly 22% of students receive Pell Grants, and about half are first-generation college students, reflecting the institution's commitment to serving Hawaii's diverse communities.
The college's outcomes reflect its mission as a regional institution. Graduates earn a median of $34,453 ten years after enrollment, which places the school in the bottom 10% nationally for long-term earnings. However, the institution maintains strong affordability, with low-income students paying just $8,584 annually and middle-income families paying $11,251 per year, both well below national averages.
For students who prioritize staying in Hawaii and accessing higher education at a manageable cost, UH Maui College provides a pathway that emphasizes affordability and local workforce preparation. While earnings outcomes lag behind mainland institutions, the college serves students who value community connection and regional career opportunities over maximum financial returns.
University of Hawaii Maui College operates with limited program-level data available, reflecting its role as a smaller regional institution focused on local workforce development rather than comprehensive academic offerings. Without detailed program information, the college appears to concentrate on foundational and community-focused fields that serve Hawaii's unique economic needs but may not translate to the high-earning career paths seen at larger research universities.
The absence of standout high-earning programs helps explain the institution's overall earnings challenges. Unlike universities with strong engineering, computer science, or business programs that drive median earnings upward, UH Maui College likely emphasizes fields such as education, social services, and local industry support that provide community value but generate more modest financial returns for graduates.
This program focus aligns with the college's mission as a regional institution serving local needs, but it creates inherent limitations for students seeking maximum earnings potential. The institution's value proposition centers on accessibility and community connection rather than financial optimization, which prospective students should understand when evaluating their educational options.
University of Hawaii Maui College graduates face challenging long-term earnings outcomes compared with national peers. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $34,453, placing the institution in the bottom 10% of public universities nationwide for earnings performance. This represents earnings that fall about $11,705 below what similar students achieve at comparable institutions, indicating significant underperformance relative to expectations.
The earnings challenges reflect Hawaii's unique economic landscape and the institution's focus on local workforce preparation rather than high-earning career paths. With limited program data available, the college appears to concentrate on foundational and community-focused fields that serve local needs but may not translate to the higher salaries seen in technology, engineering, or business sectors that drive earnings at mainland institutions. Only 49 graduates earn more than $75,000 annually, suggesting that high-earning outcomes are relatively rare.
These earnings patterns place graduates in a difficult position for loan repayment and long-term financial security. The combination of below-average earnings and Hawaii's high cost of living creates additional pressure on graduates' purchasing power, making financial planning more challenging than for peers at institutions with stronger earnings trajectories.
University of Hawaii Maui College excels in affordability, ranking in the top 25% nationally for keeping costs manageable across income levels. Low-income students pay just $8,584 per year, well below the national average, while middle-income families face annual costs of $11,251, also significantly lower than typical public university pricing. This strong affordability performance makes the college accessible to Hawaii families who might otherwise struggle to afford higher education.
Debt levels remain relatively modest for most students, with typical graduates carrying $13,040 in federal student loan debt. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $17,999, reflecting some families' choice to contribute directly to educational costs. The institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that despite lower earnings, graduates generally manage their debt obligations successfully, likely through income-driven repayment plans and careful financial management.
The combination of low net prices and modest debt loads helps offset some of the earnings challenges graduates face. While long-term financial outcomes remain constrained by Hawaii's job market and the institution's program mix, the affordable entry point means students and families avoid the high debt burdens that could make modest earnings truly problematic.
University Of Hawaii Maui College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
