Nursing Degree in Honolulu, HI — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing 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
$99K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.5 yrs
in Honolulu
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Honolulu, HI Overview
Honolulu, Hawaii (pop. 350,964) has 12 colleges offering Nursing 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. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Honolulu is approximately $82,280.
Category
Healthcare
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%
Nursing Salary in Honolulu (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Honolulu's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Honolulu adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Honolulu
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing 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
$747,976
Lifetime earnings premium ($847,000) minus total education cost ($99,024)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Honolulu
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Honolulu for Nursing
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 Nursing in Honolulu
Honolulu offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Honolulu Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Other Healthcare Majors in Honolulu
Pharmacy
$61K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$61K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$61K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$61K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$61K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$61K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Nursing degree outcomes in Honolulu, HI: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Nursing programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Hawaii.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Honolulu using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Nursing graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Nursing career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Nursing grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Honolulu Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Hawaii students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Hawaii programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "hawaii higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Nursing 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 Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Honolulu.