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Cosmetic Science Degree in Honolulu, HI — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$82K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$115K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

2.5 yrs

in Honolulu

Cost of Living

121

index (100 = avg)

Cosmetic Science in Honolulu, HI Overview

Honolulu, Hawaii (pop. 350,964) has 12 colleges offering Cosmetic Science 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. Cosmetic Science has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Formulation and Quality Control skills. The adjusted starting salary in Honolulu is approximately $82,280.

Category

STEM

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%

Cosmetic Science Salary in Honolulu (COL-Adjusted)

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

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$82,280(+$14,280 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$114,950(+$19,950 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$151,250(+$26,250 vs national)

Note: National average Cosmetic Science salary: $68,000 starting, $95,000 mid-career, $125,000 senior level.Honolulu adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.

Cosmetic Science ROI Calculator for Honolulu

Estimate your return on investment for a Cosmetic Science 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

$39,930

vs HS diploma in Honolulu

ROI Payback Period

2.5 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Honolulu

$-38,524

Lifetime earnings premium ($60,500) minus total education cost ($99,024)

Student Loan Payoff for Cosmetic Science in Honolulu

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$99,024
Monthly Payment$1,124
Total Interest$35,904
% of Monthly Income16%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

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

Colleges in Honolulu for Cosmetic Science

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 Cosmetic Science in Honolulu

Honolulu offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Cosmetic Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:

L'OrealEstee LauderP&GUnilever

Key Honolulu Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Cosmetic Science Job Titles

Cosmetic ChemistProduct DeveloperR&D Scientist

Cosmetic Science 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.

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Compare Cosmetic Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Honolulu.

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