DegreeCalc

Classics Degree in Honolulu, HI — Salary & ROI 2026

Classics degree analysis for Honolulu, HI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$61K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$73K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.5 yrs

in Honolulu

Cost of Living

121

index (100 = avg)

Classics in Honolulu, HI Overview

Honolulu, Hawaii (pop. 350,964) has 12 colleges offering Classics programs. The local cost of living index of 121 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,330/month. Although national enrollment in Classics has been declining, graduates with skills in Latin and Ancient Greek remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Honolulu is approximately $60,500.

Category

Humanities

Local Colleges

12

Public Tuition

$12,186/yr

Private Tuition

$27,060/yr

Room & Board

$12,570/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$12,299/yr

Unemployment

4%

Graduation Rate

54%

Classics Salary in Honolulu (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Honolulu's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$60,500(+$10,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$72,600(+$12,600 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$90,750(+$15,750 vs national)

Note: National average Classics salary: $50,000 starting, $60,000 mid-career, $75,000 senior level.Honolulu adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.

Classics ROI Calculator for Honolulu

Estimate your return on investment for a Classics degree using local Honolulu tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $12,186 | Private avg: $27,060

Honolulu avg aid: $12,299/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$99,024

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$18,150

vs HS diploma in Honolulu

ROI Payback Period

5.5 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Honolulu

$94,576

Lifetime earnings premium ($193,600) minus total education cost ($99,024)

Student Loan Payoff for Classics in Honolulu

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$99,024
Monthly Payment$1,124
Total Interest$35,904
% of Monthly Income22%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$99,024
Monthly Payment$1,938
Total Interest$17,227
Interest Savings$18,677

Colleges in Honolulu for Classics

University of Hawaii at Manoa

public

$12,186/yr

$48,744 total

Chaminade University of Honolulu

private

$27,060/yr

$108,240 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Honolulu Community College

$3,432/yr

Top Employers for Classics in Honolulu

Honolulu offers opportunities in Publishing, Non-profits, Education for Classics graduates. National top employers in this field include:

UniversitiesMuseumsPublishingGovernmentNon-Profits

Key Honolulu Hiring Sectors for Humanities

Publishing

Non-profits

Education

Media companies

Government

Common Classics Job Titles

ProfessorMuseum CuratorArchivistTranslator

Classics Degree in Honolulu — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Classics ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Honolulu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators