Public Health Degree in Honolulu, HI — Salary & ROI 2026
Public Health 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
$87K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Honolulu
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Public Health in Honolulu, HI Overview
Honolulu, Hawaii (pop. 350,964) has 12 colleges offering Public Health 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. Public Health has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Epidemiology and Biostatistics skills. The adjusted starting salary in Honolulu is approximately $60,500.
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%
Public Health Salary in Honolulu (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Honolulu's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Public Health salary: $50,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $92,000 senior level.Honolulu adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Public Health ROI Calculator for Honolulu
Estimate your return on investment for a Public Health 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
$409,176
Lifetime earnings premium ($508,200) minus total education cost ($99,024)
Student Loan Payoff for Public Health in Honolulu
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Honolulu for Public Health
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 Public Health in Honolulu
Honolulu offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Public Health graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Honolulu Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Public Health Job Titles
Other Healthcare Majors in Honolulu
Pharmacy
$61K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$61K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$82K starting · 3.2 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
Radiologic Technology
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Public Health 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 Public Health ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Honolulu.