Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies at University of Hawaii Maui College

Graduates of the Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies program at University of Hawaii Maui College experience a notable earnings trajectory. One year after graduation, median earnings stand at $30,304, which increases to $41,115 after five years and reaches $68,098 after ten years. However, when adjusted for purchasing power, the five-year salary equivalent is approximately $22,345.11 nationally, indicating that while nominal earnings grow, the relative value may be impacted by the cost of living in Hawaii, which has a COL index of 1.84 compared to the national average of 1.0.

The top industries for graduates predominantly include Health Care & Social Assistance, which accounts for 36.4% of employment, followed closely by another segment of Health Care & Social Assistance at 34.7%, and Accommodation & Food Services at 22.3%. Given the estimated break-even point of approximately 12.7 years compared to a high-school-only path, the return on investment for this degree may take considerable time to realize. This suggests that while there are opportunities in growing sectors, students should weigh the long-term financial implications of their educational choices against potential earnings in their chosen fields.