Interior Design Degree in Honolulu, HI — Salary & ROI 2026
Interior Design 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
$75K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Honolulu
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Interior Design in Honolulu, HI Overview
Honolulu, Hawaii (pop. 350,964) has 12 colleges offering Interior Design 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. Interior Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Space Planning and AutoCAD. The adjusted starting salary in Honolulu is approximately $60,500.
Category
Arts & Design
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%
Interior Design Salary in Honolulu (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Honolulu's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Interior Design salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Honolulu adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Interior Design ROI Calculator for Honolulu
Estimate your return on investment for a Interior Design 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
$263,976
Lifetime earnings premium ($363,000) minus total education cost ($99,024)
Student Loan Payoff for Interior Design in Honolulu
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Honolulu for Interior Design
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 Interior Design in Honolulu
Honolulu offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Interior Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Honolulu Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Interior Design Job Titles
Other Arts & Design Majors in Honolulu
UX Design
$61K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$70K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$61K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$61K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$61K starting · 9 yr ROI
Interior Design 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 Interior Design ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Honolulu.